o.^c 


FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM  TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


2  c  <c. 


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JBWM  Ho  ]LITI^<&§T(0)^.  BoBo    goToFo 


PMESroHMT  OF  g)lC^IE^°S  (D(D)ILILiE(GK 


^y  jfEw  mmuweivicm:. 


M£^01R8 


REV.  JOHN  H.  LIVINGSTON, 

D.D.S.T.R 


i'REPARED   IN    COMPLIANCE    WrxH 


A  REQUEST  OF  THE  GENERAIi  SYNOl) 


OF  THE 

/ 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH  IN  NORTH  AMERICA 


BY 

/ 

ALEXANDER  (iUNN, 

PASTOR  OP  THE  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH  AT  BLOOMINGDALE,  IN  THE 
CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


aUTGERS  PRESS,  NEW^-YORK. 

WILLIAM  A.  MERCEIN,  PRINTER. 

1829- 


Southern  District  of  New  I'orfr,  jj. 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  Tliat  On  the  eleventh  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1829,  in  the  6ftv-third 
year  of  (he  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Alexander  Gunn,  of  the  said  district, 
has  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  Book,  the  riglit  whereof  he  claims  as  Author  and 
Proprietor,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit  ■. 

"Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.  D.  S.T.  P.  prepared  in  compliance  with  a 
requestor  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  iu  North  America,  by  Alexander 
Gunn,  Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  at  Bloomingdale,  in  the  City  of  New  York." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the 
encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  B  ooks,  to  the  authors  and 
proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  time  therein  mentioned ;''  and  also  to  an  Act,  entitled 
"an  Act,  supplementary  to  an  Act,  entitled,  an  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by 
»ecuriug  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies, 
during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing, 
engraving  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

FREDERICK  J.  BETTS,  Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  ofNera  York. 


JL  Copy  of  the    Official    Communication    of  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod  to  the  Author. 

«  FlatbusJh  JuneUth  1828." 

"  Rev.  a.  Gunn  D.  D. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

I  have  the  honour  and  happiness  to  transmit 
to  you  the  following  resolutions  adopted  by  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  at  their  sessions  in  Albany,  during 
the  present  month. 

Your's,  in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel, 

THOMAS  M.  STRONG.  • 

"  Resolved^  That  the  Committee  appointed  in  1826,  to  procure 
materials  for  a  Memoir  of  the  late  Reverend  and  venerable  John 
H.  Livingston,  D.  D.  S.  T.  P.  and  engage  a  person  to  write  it, 
be  discharged  from  the  farther  consideration  of  the  subject,  and 
be  requested  to  put  any  materials  collected  by  them,  into  the  hands 
of  such  person  as  General  Synod  shall  appoint  to  prepare  such 
Memoir." 

"  Besolved,  that  the  Rev.  Alexander  Gunn,  D.D.  be,  and  hereby 
is  appointed,  and  requested  to  write  and  publish  such  a  Memoir 
as  was  contemplated  by  the  Resolution  of  General  Synod,  in  the 
session  of  1826. 

"  Resolved,  that  the  Rev.  Drs.  Knox  and  McMurray,  with'the 
Rev.  C.  C.  Cuyler,  be  a  Committee  to  inspect  the  work,  previous 
to  publication,  and  fix  the  amount  of  compensation  to  Dr.  Gunn, 
out  of  the  profits  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  work." 

A  true  Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod, 

THOMAS  M;  STRONG,  Stated  Clerk:' 


pi  Copy  of  the  Opinion  expressed  by  the  Committee 
of  General  Synod,  after  inspecting  the  Manuscript 
of  the  Memoir. 

"  The  undersigned,  having  at  the  request  of  the  author,  and  in 
compliance  with  the  object  of  their  appointment,  as  a  Committee 
of  Synod,  carefully  perused  the  manuscript  Memoir  of  the  late 
Professor  Livingston,  prepared  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gunn ;  have  much 
pleasure  in  bearing  their  decided  testimony  to  the  able  manner  in 
which  the  task  has  been  accomplished.  With  much  wcW  directed 
labour,  and  in  a  manner  that  will  not  fail  to  prove  gratifying  to 
the  church,  the  author  has  reduced  to  order  a  large  amount  of 
interesting  and  important  matter." 

"  The  volume  now  about  to  be  presented  to  the  Public,  con- 
tains, it  is  believed,  a  faithful  picture  of  the  revered  individual, 
whose  eventful  life  it  portrays ;  and  at  the  same  time  exhibits  all 
the  most  prominent  features  of  the  history  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  in  this  country  ;  together  with  valuable  passing  notices  of 
many  of  her  most  distinguished  sons,  who  have  from  time  to  time 
entered  into  rest." 

«'  The  work,  we  doubt  not,  will  be  perused  with  interest ;  and 
regarded  as  an  important  addition  to  the  biography  of  those  whose 
"  memory  is  blessed."  With  prayer  for  its  usefulness,  we  do 
hereby  cordially  recommend  it  to  the  patronage  of  the  christian 
community  ;  and  especially  of  every  Minister,  Consistory,  and 
Member  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church." 


JOHN  KNOX, 
WM.  McMURRAY, 
C.  C.  CUYLER, 


Committee  of 
General  Synod. 


Mw  York,  1st  Spril,  1829. 


TO  THE  GENERAL  SYNOD 


REFORJUED  DUTCH  CHURCH 


UNITED   STATES   OF  AMERICA. 


Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethre^i, 

Of  the  profound  respect  entertained  by  you  for 
the  talents  and  piety  of  our  late  venerable  Friend 
and  Father,  and  of  your  grateful  sense  of  his  many 
eminent  services  to  our  beloved  Church — the  soli- 
citude you  have  expressed,  to  have  prepared  and 
published  a  true  and  full  account  of  his  Life  and 
Character,  affords  sufficient  evidence. 

It  was,  indeed,  due  to  his  precious  memory,  that 
the  Church,  whose  ministry  he  so  long  adorned  as 
a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  and  to  the  promotion 
of  whose  best  interests,  from  the  dawn  of  celestial 
light  in  his  soul,  until  his  lamented  decease — em- 
bracing a  period  of  more  than  half  a  century — he 
was  so  warmly,  unremittingly,  and  successfully  de- 


voted,  should  be  furnished  with  such  an  account ; 
and  your  anxiety,  as  a  Body  representing  the  whole 
church,  to  provide,  by  an  express  synodical  act, 
for  perpetuating  in  this  manner  the  remembrance 
of  his  name,  evinces  a  feeling  of  pious  gratitude, 
an  ingenuous  respect  for  departed  merit — a  mag- 
nanimity worthy  of  all  commendation.  The  Chris- 
tian Pubhc  will  no  doubt  view  it  in  this  light,  and 
approve  it. 

For  the  honour  you  were  pleased  to  confer  upon 
me,  in  committing  to  my  hands  the  preparation  of 
the  Biography,  I  beg  leave  to  tender  you  my  cordial 
thanks.  Without  any  affectation  of  modesty,  I  can 
say,  that  I  distrusted  my  own  powers  to  execute 
to  your  satisfaction  the  work  assigned  me ;  and  for 
some  time,  feared  to  undertake  it.  I  felt,  however, 
that  as  the  appointment  had  been  altogether  un- 
sought— nay,  had  been  made  without  the  most  re- 
mote suspicion  on  my  part,  that  it  was  even  in 
contemplation,  I  ought  not  hastily  and  peremptorily 
to  decline  it.  And,  when  I  reflected  that  your 
request  remarkably  coincided  with  a  similar  one, 
with  which  the  venerable  man  saw  fit  personally  to 
honour  me,  in  a  private  interview  with  him  some 


years  ago — a  coincidence  perfectly  undesigned  on 
your  part,  as  you  knew  nothing  of  the  request 
alluded  to — the  call  of  Providence  in  the  case 
appeared  too  strong  I  confess,  notwithstanding  my 
fears  as  to  my  competency,  to  be  disobeyed.  Un- 
der the  conviction  of  duty  thus  produced — encour- 
aged, at  the  same  time,  by  brethren  for  whom  I 
entertain  a  high  respect — and  hoping  too  that  the 
study  of  so  excellent  a  character  might  prove,  in 
no  small  degree,  beneficial  to  my  own  soul,  I  was 
induced,  at  length,  to  venture  on  the  undertaking. 

I  regret  that  my  efforts  to  obtain  materials  for 
the  work  have  not  been  more  successM ;  but  still, 
those  supplied  by  a  number  of  individuals,  are  con- 
siderable in  the  aggregate,  and  many  of  them,  of  an 
important  and  interesting  character.  iVnd,  I  would 
here  gratefully  acknowledge  the  kindness  in  par- 
ticular, of  Col.  Henry  A.  Livingston,  the  Doctors' 
son,  of  Poughkeepsie  ;  of  Isaac  L.  Kip,  Esq.  of  the 
City  of  New  York;  of  Dr.  John  B.  Beck,  of  the 
same  city,  and  of  his  brother  Dr.  Theodorick  R. 
Beck,  of  the  city  of  Albany, — grandsons  of  the  late 
Rev.  Dr.  Theodorick  Romeyn,  of  Schenectady, 
who  was,  for  many  years,  the  intimate  friend  and 


8 

constant  correspondent  of  Dr.  Livingston.  These 
gentlemen  very  promptly  and  politely  furnished 
me  with  such  papers,  in  their  possession  respec- 
tively, as  were  calculated  to  be  of  any  service. 
Among  those  sent  by  the  first  named  gentleman, 
was  found  a  manuscript  memoir  of  his  father,  of 
about  fifty  or  sixty  pages  letter  paper,  which  the 
Doctor  had  written  a  few  years  before  he  died,  and 
relating  chiefly  to  the  earlier  part  of  his  life. 
This  proved  of  essential  service,  and  long  extracts 
from  it  are  presented  in  the  following  sketch. 

It  is  well  known,  that  his  connexion  with  the 
Dutch  Church,  from  his  youth,  was  such,  that  a 
full  memoir  of  his  life  must  necessarily  embrace  a 
large  portion  of  the  history  of  the  Church :  and  I 
freely  own  that  when  I  commenced  the  work,  it 
was  my  particular  wish,  if  it  could  be  done  without 
destroying  its  Biographical  character^  to  incorpo- 
rate with  it,  a  concise  and  connected  account  ot  the 
Church  from  its  rise,  until  the  present  time.  Upon 
reflection,  this  account  seemed  indispensable  to 
give  a  fair  and  intelligible  view  of  some  matters,  in 
which  the  Doctor  deeply  interested  himself  as  soon 
as  he  entered  upon  the  study  of  Theology :  and 


throughout,  I  have  allowed  myself'  no  farther  scope, 
nor  have  I  dilated,  upon  general  facts,  any  farther 
than  appeared  requisite  to  a  proper  illustration  of 
the  events  of  his  life.  In  the  introduction  of  matter 
of  this  description,  relative  to  one  or  two  periods, 
I  was  under  the  necessity  of  availuig  myself,  to 
some  extent,  of  private  correspondence ;  but  for 
having  done  so,  it  is  presumed,  no  other  apology 
need  be  pleaded. 

The  letters  which  were  written  by  the  Doctor 
upon  important  ecclesiastical  measures,  particu- 
larly those  of  a  late  date,  are  given,  not  so  much  to 
complete  the  narrative,  as  to  show  how  far  he  was 
active,  and  the  motives  that  regulated  his  conduct. 
And  it  was  judged  indeed,  that  his  excellence  both 
in  private  and  pubUc  life — that  his  character  as  a 
Christian  minister,  as  a  husband,  father,  friend — 
would  be  better  estimated  from  his  unreserved  com- 
munications to  intimate  friends,  than  fi'om  a  bare 
liistorical  statement  of  facts. 

Numerous  other  letters,  upon  a  variety  of  sub- 
jects, might  have  been  added,  but  it  was  supposed 

that  an  appendix,  containing  them,  would  increase 

2 


10 

the  present  volume  to  an  immoderate  size.  If  what 
is  now  submitted  shall  be  esteemed  of  any  value 
as  a  Biography  of  our  departed  Friend,  and  as  a 
History  of  the  Church ;  if  the  portrait  it  presents 
of  the  venerable  man,  shall  be  viewed  as  upon  the 
whole,  a  good  likeness  ;  and  if  what  has  been  related 
therein  of  his  virtues  and  services,  shall  be  produc- 
tive of  any  good,  or  shall  contribute,  in  any  degree, 
to  the  cultivation  of  genuine  piety,  and  excite  a 
more  active  zeal  in  the  promotion  of  the  best  in- 
terests of  our  beloved  Zion,  I  shall  feel  that  I  have 
not  laboured  in  vain. 

The  representation  I  have  given  of  his  worth 
will  not  appear  at  all  extravagant  to  you,  who  knew 
liim,  and  loved  him :  and  to  those,  who  were  not 
personally  acquainted  with  him,  I  flatter  myself,  that 
the  opinions  of  eminent  divines,  out  of  the  connex- 
ion with  which  I  have  been  favoured,  and  which 
will  be  seen  in  their  place,  will  show  satisfactorily 
that  that  ivorth  has  not  been  too  highly  estimated. 

Having  made  these  introductory  remarks,  the 
work  is  now  offered  to  the  indulgence  of  the  Christ- 
ian reader. 


11 

And,  TO  YOU,  REV.  FATHERS  AND  BRETHREN,  at 

Avhose  request  it  has  been  prepared,  I  beg  per- 
mission, with  all  due  respect,  to  inscribe  it, — adding 
my  fervent  prayer,  that  the  great  head  of  the 
CHURCH,  will  render  it  subservient  to  the  advance- 
ment of  his  kingdom,  and  that  he  will  fill  You  "  with 
all  the  fulness  of  God." 

Your  friend  and  fellow-labourer 

in  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 

ALEXANDER  GUNN. 
Mtv  York,  March  25,  1829. 


MEMOIRS, 


CHAPTER  I. 

CONTAINING  A  SHORT  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  ANCESTRY. 

The  real  genuine  worth  of  any  one  can  be  truly 
estimated  only  by  the  amount  of  moral  and  religious 
excellence  which  he  actually  possesses.  Grace, — 
in  its  benign  influence  upon  the  heart  and  life,  in 
the  implantation  and  growth  of  dispositions  and 
habits  that  elevate  the  soul  above  the  empty,  eva- 
nescent things  of  time  and  sense,  and  prepare  it  for 
the  enjoyment  of  perfect  blessedness  hereafter — 
sheds  a  glory  over  the  path  of  a  child  of  God,  which 
perfectly  eclipses  the  feeble  lustre  of  any  adventi- 
tious, earthly  distinction  he  may  happen  to  have. 
He  may  have,  and  deservedly,  the  reputation  of 
being  an  able  jurist,  an  eloquent  divine,  a  brave 
and  skilful  captain, — or  he  may  be  allied,  by  birth, 
to  rank  and  fortune  ;  but  whatever  his  real  or  sup- 
posed merits  in  these  respects,  if  it  be  known  that 
he  walks  humbly  with  God — that  he  is  a  sincere, 
conscientious,  zealous  follower  of  Christ — This 
constitutes  the  chief  excellence  of  his  character ;  in 


14  ANCESTRY. 

comparison  with  which,  that  importance  some  at- 
tach, or  affect  to  attach,  to  the  mere  appendages 
of  worldly  greatness,  dwindles  into  insignificance, 
and  is  scarce  worthy  of  notice. 

In  attempting,  therefore,  to  give  the  biography, 
of  a  good  man,  it  is  a  matter  of  very  small  mo- 
ment to  be  able  to  trace  his  pedigree  to  what  some 
esteem  a  great  or  illustrious  ancestry.  Every  pi- 
ous and  judicious  reader  will  regard  the  account 
as  of  little  importance  in  itself  considered,  or  as 
imparting  little  additional  interest  to  the  narrative. 

Yet,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that,  i?i  innume- 
rahle  instances,  an  honourable  family  connexion, 
though  contributing  nothing  essentially  to  indivi- 
dual worth,  is  a  worldly  blessing,  which,  among 
other  good  things,  the  faith  and  holiness  of  some 
ancestor,  near  or  remote,  have  secured  to  his  off- 
spring. And  this  being  the  fact,  every  proba- 
ble instance  of  the  kind  ought  to  be  exhibited, 
as  a  proof  of  the  faithfvilness  of  God  in  fulfil- 
ling, long  after  their  decease,  promises  which  he 
had  made  to  his  children,  to  encourage  the  godly 
and  to  induce  others  to  choose  Him  for  their  portion 
that  keepeth  covenant  and  mercy  with  them  that  love 
Him,  atid  keep  His  commandments  to  a  thousand 
generations.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  feareth  the 
Lord,  that  delighteth  greatly  in  His  commandments  • 
his  seed  shall  be  mighty  upon  earth  :  the  generation 
of  the  nnrisrht  shall  he  blessed.     Wealth  and  riches 


ANCESTRY.  15 

shall  be  in  his  house  ;  and  his  righteousness  endurefh 
forever.* 

Few  families,  perhaps,  of  much  reputation  iu 
society,  cannot  number  among  their  several  pro- 
genitors some,  who,  in  their  day,  were  eminent  for 
piety  :  and  there  can  be  no  question,  but  that  for 
present  influence  and  prosperity  m  the  world,  the 
children  are  indebted  to  the  interest  their  fathers 
had  in  the  divine  promise,  rather  than,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  personal  religion,  to  any  peculiar  skill  and 
enterprise  of  their  own. 

Parents,  in  a  sense,  live  in  their  children  :  When 
God  beholds  the  children  of  such  as  were  pious,  he 
remembers  the  parents  and  his  covenant  with  them, 
Iioillbe  a  God  unto  thee  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee  ; 
and  the  children  are  beloved  and  blessed  for  their 
father's  sakes — that  is,  in  honour  and  affluence,  are 
made  considerable  among  their  fellow  men,  and 
often,  in  the  dispensations  of  divine  mercy,  enrich- 
ed with  the  more  precious  blessings  that  pertain  to 
salvation. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  seed  of  evil  doers,  as  it  is 
declared,  shall  never  be  renoivned,] — or  rather  as 
some  read  it,  shall  not  be  renowned  forever — that 

*  Ps.  cxii.  2,  3.  I  Isa.  xiv.  20. 


16  ANCESTRY. 

is,  however  big  they  may  look /or  a  season^  and 
however  they  may  strut  in  the  fulness  of  their  pride 
and  vaunt  of  their  descent,  all  their  pomp  and  fan- 
cied greatness,  like  the  morning  cloud  and  the  early 
dew,  shall  speedily  pass  away.  For  the  Lord  loveih 
judgement,  and  forsaketh  not  his  saints :  they  are 
preserved  for  ever  ;  but  the  seed  of  the  wicked  shall 
be  cut  off.* 

The  preceding  remarks  are  fully  verified  by 
the  ordinary  economy  of  divine  providence. 

The  great,  great  grandfather  of  the  venerable 
subject  of  this  Memoir,  and  the  common  ancestor 
of  the  Livingston  family  in  this  country,  was  the 
eminently  pious  and  celebrated  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, Mr.  John  Livingston,  of  Scotland.! 

*  Ps.  xxxvii.  28. 

t  The  family,  from  which  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ  was 
descended,  is  honourably  noticed  in  Scottish  history.  From  a 
genealogical  tree,  which  the  writer  has  seen,  it  would  appear,  that 
his  father  and  grandfather  were  successively  ministers  of  the 
parish  where  he  was  born,  and  that  his  great,  great  grandfather 
was  Lord  Livingston,  afterwards  Earl  of  Linlithgow.  This  noble- 
man, as  history  states,  had,  with  Lord  Erskine  in  1547,  the  care 
of  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  in  the  Castle  of  Dumbarton,  where,  at 
the  invasion  of  Scotland  by  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  she  was  placed 
for  safe  keeping,  and  whence,  not  long  after,  she  was  conveyed 
to  France,  and  delivered  to  her  uncles,  the  princes  of  Lorrain. 


ANCESTRY.  17 

As  the  name  of  this  worthy  clergyman  occupies 
a  prominent  place  in  the  ecclesiastical  histories  of 
his  time,  and  as  the  exile  to  which  he  was  compel- 
led to  submit,  for  his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  truth  and 
religion,  will  account  probably  for  the  subsequent 
connexion  of  many  of  his  descendants  with  the  Dutch 
Church,  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life  seems  to  be  pro- 
per in  this  place,  and  though  given,  for  the  most 
part,  in  his  own  plain  language,  will  not,  it  is  hoped, 
prove  altogether  uninteresting  to  the  reader. 

He  was  born  in  Monyabroch,  in  Stirlingshire, 
June  21,  1603.  *'  I  observed,"  he  says,  in  a  narra- 
tive of  his  life,  written  by  himself,  "  the  Lord's 
great  goodness,  that  I  was  born  of  such  parents, 
who  taught  me  somewhat  of  God,  so  soon  as  I  was 
capable  to  understand  any  thing : — I  had   great 

Mary  Livingston,  a  daughter  of  the  lord,  was  one  of  the  fourr 
Maries  that  accompanied  the  Queen  to  France,  as  her  compa- 
nions. LinUthgovv  is  the  chief  town  of  West  Lothian,  and  distant 
from  Edinburgh  sixteen  miles.  "  The  family  of  Livingston,  who 
take  the  title  of  earl  from  this  place,  are  hereditary  keepers  of  this 
paflfce"  (the  palace,  in  which  the  unfortunate  Mary  Stuart  first 
saw  light,)  "  as  also  bailiffs  of  the  king's  bailifry  and  constables 
of  Blackness  castle. — Sir  James  Livingston,  son  of  the  first  earl 
by  marriage  with  a  daughter  of  Callendar,  was  created  earl  of 
Callendar,  by  Charles  I.  1641,  which  title  sunk  into  the  other." 

Encyclopo'dia  Brii. 

3 


1:8  ANCESTRY. 

cares  about  my  salvation,  when  I  was  but  yet  very 
3'^oung :  I  had  the  advantage  of  the  acquaintance 
and  example  of  many  gracious  Christians,  who 
used  to  resort  to  my  father's  house,  especially  at 
communion  occasions. — I  do  not  remember  the 
time  or  means  particularly,  whereby  the  Lord  at 
first  wrought  upon  my  heart.  When  I  was  but 
very  young,  I  would  sometimes  pray  with  some 
feehng,  and  read  the  word  with  delight;  but  thereaf- 
ter did  often  intermit  any  such  exercise  ; — I  would 
have  some  challenges  and  begin,  and  again  inter- 
mit. I  remember  the  first  time  that  ever  I  com- 
municated at  the  Lord's  table  was  in  Stirling, 
when  I  was  at  school,  where  sitting  at  the  table,  and 
Mr.  Patrick  Simpson  exhorting  before  the  distri- 
bution, there  came  such  a  trembling  upon  me  that 
all  my  body  shook,  yet  thereafter  the  fear  and  trem- 
bling departed,  and  I  got  some  comfort  and  assur- 
ance. I  had  no  inclination  to  the  ministry,  till  a 
year  or  more  after  I  had  passed  my  course  in  the 
college  ;  and  that,  upon  this  occasion,  I  had  a  bent 
desire  to  give  myself  to  the  knowledge  and  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  and  was  very  earnest  to  go  to 
France,  for  that  purpose,  and  propounded  it  to  my 
father,  that  I  might  obtain  his  consent,  but  he  refus- 
ed the  same.  Also,  about  the  same  time,  my  fa~ 
ther  having  before  purchased  some  land  in  the  pa- 
rish of  Monyabroch,  the  rights  whereof  were  taken 


ANCESTRY.  -  19 

in  my  name,  and  that  land  by  ill  neighbours  being 
in  a  manner  laid  waste,  and  Sir  William  Livmgston 
of  Kilsyth,  one  of  the  lords  of  session,  being  very 
desirous  to  buy  thatland,  that  he  might  build  a  burgh 
of  barony  upon  it  at  Burnside,  my  father  propound- 
ed that  I  should  go  and  dwell  on  that  land  and 
marry :  but  finding  that  that  course  would  divert 
me  from  all  study  of  learning,  I  refused  that  offer, 
and  rather  agreed  to  the  selling  of  it,  although  I  was 
not  yet  major  to  ratify  the  sale .  Now,  being  in  these 
straits,  I  resolved  that  I  would  spend  a  day  alone 
before  God,  and  knowing  of  a  secret  cave  on  the 
south  side  of  Mouse  water,  a  Uttle  above  the  house 
of  Jervis  wood,  over  against  Cleghom  wood,  I  went 
thither,  and  after  many  to's  and  fro's,  and  much 
confusion,  and  fear  about  the  state  of  my  soul,  I 
thought  it  was  made  out  unto  me,  that  I  behooved 
to  preach  Christ  Jesus,  which  if  I  did  not,  I  should 
have  no  assurance  of  salvation.  Upon  this,  I  laid 
aside  all  thoughts  of  France,  and  medicine,  and 
land,  and  betook  me  to  the  study  of  Divinity."  * 

He  preached  his  first  sermon  January  2, 1625, 
when  about  the  age  of  twenty-two.  The  succeed- 
ing five  years  were   spent  partly  in  the  diligent 

*  Gillies'    Hist.  Col.  page  277,  278. 


30  ANCESTRY. 

pursuit  of  his  theological  studies  at  home,  in  his 
father's  house,  and  partly,  in  visiting  different 
places,  preaching  occasionally,  and  cultivating  an 
acquaintance  with  some  of  the  most  eminent  minis- 
ters and  professors  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  In 
the  course  of  this  period,  he  received  a  number  of 
calls  from  vacant  congregations  ;  but  the  opposi- 
tion of  those  in  power,  and  other  difficulties  that 
occurred,  prevented  his  assuming  the  pastoral 
office. 

June,  1630,  Mr.  Livingston  was  present  at  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  in  a  certain  place. 
Being  yet  merely  a  licentiate,  he,  of  course,  took 
no  part  in  its  appropriate  services  ;  but  the  next 
day,  the  congregation  stUl  remaining,  and  express- 
ing a  desire  for  some  additional  service,  he  was 
prevailed  upon  to  preach. 

The  occasion  was  one  of  more  than  ordinary 
interest  and  solemnity  ;  the  circumstances  under 
which  he  was  constrained  to  preach  were  some- 
what remarkable  ;  and  the  happy  fruits  of  the 
spirit  which  accompanied  and  followed  the  sermon 
were  truly  astonishing.  Rarely,  perhaps,  has  any 
single  sermon  been  attended  with  such  memorable 
and  glorious  results,  since  the  days  of  the  apostles. 


ANCESTRY.  21 

A  respectable  writer  gives   the  following  ac- 
count of  the  occasion  and  the  sermon.* 

"  As  the  kirk  of  Shotts  lies  on  the  road  from 
the  west  to  Edinburgh,  and  is  at  a  good  distance 
from  any  convenient  place  of  entertainment,  some 
ladies  of  rank,  who  had  occasion  to  pass  that  way, 
met,  at  different  times,  with  civilities,  from  the  min- 
ister t  at  his  house,  which  was  then  situate  where 
the  public  inn  is  now.  Particularly  once,  when 
through  some  misfortune  befalling  their  coach  or 
chariot,  they  were  obHged  to  pass  a  night  in  the 
minister's  house  ;  they  observed,  that  besides  its 
incommodious  situation,  it  much  needed  to  be  re- 
paired. They,  therefore,  used  their  interest  to  get 
a  more  convenient  house  built  for  the  minister  in 
another  place." 

"  After  receiving  so  substantial  favours,  the  min- 
ister waited  on  the  ladies,  and  expressed  his  desire 
to  know  if  any  thing  was  in  his  power,  that  might 
testify  his  gratitude  to  them.  They  answered  it 
would  be  very  obhging  to  them,  if  he  would  invite, 
to  assist  at  his  communion,  certain  ministers  whom 
they  named,  who  were  eminently  instrumental  in 
promoting  practical  religion.     The  report  of  this 

*  Gillies.  t  Mr.   John  Hance. 


23  ANCESTRY. 

spreading  far  and  near,  multitudes  of  persons  of 
different  ranks  attended  there,  so  that  for  several 
days  before  the  sacrament  there  was  much  tune 
spent  in  social  prayer." 

"  It  was  not  usual,  it  seems,  in  those  times,  to 
have  any  sermon  on  the  Monday  after  dispensing 
the  Lord's  Supper.  But  God  had  given  so  much 
of  his  gracious  presence>  and  afforded  his  people 
so  much  communion  with  himself,  on  the  foregoing 
days  of  that  solemnity,  that  they  knew  not  how  to 
part  without  thanksgiving  and  praise.  There  had 
been,  as  was  said  before,  a  vast  confluence  of  choice 
Christians,  with  several  eminent  ministers,  from 
almost  all  the  corners  of  the  land,  that  had  been 
many  of  them  there  together,  for  several  days  before 
the  sacrament,  hearing  sermon,  and  joining  together 
in  larger  or  lesser  companies,  in  prayer,  praise,  and 
spiritual  conferences.  While  their  hearts  were 
warm  with  the  love  of  God,  some  expressing  their 
desii'e  of  a  sermon  on  the  Monday  were  joined 
by  others,  and  in  a  little  the  desire  became  very 
general. 

*'  Mr.  John  Livingston,  chaplain  to  the  countess 
of  Wigtown,  (at  that  time,  only  a  preacher,  not  an 
ordained  minister,  and  about  twenty-seven  years 
of  age,)  was,  with  very  much  ado,  prevailed  on  to 


ANCESTRY.  Z6 

thilik  of  giving  the  sermon.  He  had  spent  the  night 
before  in  prayer  and  conference  ;  but  when  he  was 
alone  in  the  fields,  about  eight  or  nine  in  the  morn- 
ing, there  came  such  a  misgiving  of  heart  upon  him, 
under  a  sense  of  unworthiness  and  unfitness  to 
speak  before  so  many  aged  and  worthy  ministers, 
and  so  many  eminent  and  experienced  Christians, 
that  he  was  thinking  to  have  stolen  quite  away, 
and  was  actually  gone  away  to  some  distance  ;  but 
when  just  about  to  lose  sight  of  the  kirk  of  Shotts, 
these  words  :  Was  I  ever  a  barren  ivildernesSj  or 
a  land  of  darkness,  were  brought  into  his  heart  with 
such  an  overcoming  power,  as  constrained  him  to 
think  it  his  duty  to  return  and  comply  with  the  call 
to  preach  ;  which  he  accordingly  did  with  good 
assistance,  for  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  on  the 
points  he  had  meditated  from  that  text — Ezek. 
xx^tvi.  25,  26.  The7i  will  I  sprinkle  clean  water 
upon  you,  and  ye  shall  be  clean  .-from  all  yourfilthi- 
ness,  and  from  all  your  idols,  will  I  cleanse  you.  A 
new  heart  also  will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will 
I  put  within  you,  and  I  will  take  away  the  stony 
heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  1  ivill  give  you  an  heart 
of  flesh:' 

'•  As  he  was  about  to  close,  a  heavy  shower  co- 
ming suddenly  on,  which  made  the  people  hastily 
take  to  their  cloaks  and  mantles,  he   began   to 


24  ANCESTRY. 

speak  to  the  following  purpose — "  If  a  few  drops 
of  rain  from  the  clouds  so  discomposed  them,  how 
discomposed  would  they  be,  how  full  of  horror  and 
despair,  if  God  should  deal  with  them  as  they  de- 
served ;  and  thus  he  will  deal  with  all  the  finally 
impenitent.  That  God  might  justly  rain  fire  and 
brimstone  upon  them,  as  upon  Sodom  and  Gomor- 
rah, and  the  other  cities  of  the  plain ;  that  the  Son 
of  God,  by  tabernacling  in  our  nature,  and  obeying 
and  suffering  in  it,  is  the  only  refuge  and  covert 
from  the  storm  of  divine  wrath  due  to  us  for  sin ; — ■ 
that  his  merits  and  mediation  are  the  alone  skreen 
from  that  storm,  and  none  but  penitent  believers 
shall  have  the  benefit  of  that  shelter."  In  these,  or 
some  expressions  to  this  purpose,  and  many  others, 
he  was  led  on  about  an  hour's  time  (after  he  had 
done  with  what  he  had  premeditated)  in  a  strain  of 
exhortation  and  warning,  with  great  enlargement 
and  melting  of  heart." 

The  same  historian  goes  on  to  state  some  facts, 
showing  the  powerful  and  permanent  effects  of 
this  sermon  upon  many  of  the  hearers :  but  instead 
of  extending  the  quotation,  it  will  not  be  amiss 
to  present  a  brief  extract  from  the  work  of  another, 
in  confirmation  of  the  above  account,  especially 
as  it  contains  a  more  general  view  of  the  effects 
produced. 


ancestrV.  26' 

Mr.  Fleming,  an  author  of  unquestioned  ve- 
racity,  in  his  work  upon  the  fulfilling  of  the  Scrip" 
tures*  says — "  I  must  also  mention  that  solemn 
communion  at  the  kirk  of  Shotts,  June  20.  1630,  at 
which  time  there  was  so  convincing  an  appearance 
of  God,  and  down-pouring  of  the  spirit,  even  in 
an  extraordinary  way,  that  did  follow  the  ordinan-= 
ces,  especially  that  sermon  on  the  Monday^  June 
21,  with  a  strange  unusual  motion  on  the  hearers? 
who  in  a  great  multitude  were  there  convened,  of 
divers  ranks,  that  it  was  known,  which  I  can  speak 
on  sure  ground,  near  five  hundred  had  at  that  time, 
a  discernible  change  wrought  on  them,  of  whom 
most  proved  lively  Christians  afterwards.  It  wai? 
the  sowing  of  a  seed  through  Clyddisdale,  so  as 
many  of  the  most  eminent  Christians  in  that  coun- 
try could  date  either  their  conversion,  or  some  te^ 
markable  confirmation  in  their  case,  from  that  day  i 
and  truly  this  was  the  more  remarkable,  that  one? 
after  much  reluctance,  by  a  special  and  unexpect- 
ed  providence,  was  called  to  preach  that  sermon 
on  the  Monday,  which  then  was  not  usually  practis- 
ed ;  and  that  night  before,  by  most  of  the  ChriS" 
tians  there,  was  spent  in  prayer,  so  that  the  Mon- 
day's work  might  be  discerned,  as  a  convincing  re- 
turn of  prayer." 


*  Page  185,  folio. 

4 


2t>  ANCESTRY. 

Mr.  Livingston  says  himself,  in  reference  to 
this  memorable  occasion.    "  The  only  day  in  all  my 
life  wherein  I  found  most  of  the  presence  of  God 
in  preaching,  was  on  a  Monday  after  the  communion, 
preaching  in  the   church  yard  of  Shotts,  June  21. 
1630.     The  night  before  I  had  been  in  company 
with  some  Christians,  who  spent  the  night  in  prayer 
and  conference.     When  I  was  alone  in  the  fields, 
about  eight  or  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  before 
we  were  to  go  to  sermon,  there  came  such  a  mis- 
giving of  spirit  upon  me,  considering  my  unworthi- 
ness  and  weakness,  and  the  multitude  and  expec- 
tation of  the  people,  that  I  was  consulting  with  my- 
self to  have  stolen  away  somewhere,  and  decUned 
that  day's  preaching,  but  that  I  thought  I  durst  not 
so  far  distrust  God ;  and  so  went  to  sermon,   and 
got  good  assistance,  about  one  hour  and  a  half,  upon 
the  points  which  I  had  meditated  on,  Ezek.  xxxvi. 
25,26. — Andin  the  end,  offering  to  close  with  some 
words  of  exhortation,  I  was  led  on  about  an  hour's 
time,  in  a  strain  of  exhortation  and  warning,  with 
such  liberty  and  melting  of   heart,  as  I  never  had 
the  like  in  public  all  my  life  time.     Some  little  of 
that  stamp  remained  on  the  Thursday  after,  when 
I  preached  in  Kilmarnock,  but  the  very  Monday  fol- 
lowing, preaching  in  Irvine,  I  was  so  deserted, 
that  the  points  I  had  meditated   and  written,  and 
which  I  had  fully  in  my  memory,  I  was  not,  for  my 


ANCESTRY.  27 

heart,  able  to  get  them  pronounced  :  so  it  pleased 
the  Lord  to  counterbalance  his  dealings,  and  to 
hide  pride  from  man.  This  so  discouraged  me, 
that  I  was  resolved  for  some  time  not  to  preach,  at 
least,  not  in  Irvine  ;  but  Mr.  David  Dickson  would 
not  suffer  me  to  go  from  thence,  till  I  preached  the 
next  Sabbath,  to  get  (as  he  expressed  it)  amends 
of  the  devil. — I  stayed  and  preached  with  some 
tolerable  freedom." 

Shortly  after  that  signal  blessing  upon  his  labours, 
this  eminent  servant  of  Christ,  received  and  accept- 
ed a  unanimous  call  from  the  church  of  Killinchie, 
in  Ireland,  where  he  was  made,  in  some  degree, 
useful  to  an  ignorant  but  tractable  people.  And 
about  this  time,  a  similar  extraordinary  manifesta- 
tion of  divine  power  attended  his  preaching  upon 
another  Monday  after  communion,  at  Holy-wood, 
upon  which  occasion,  it  is  said,  that  a  much  greater 
number  were  converted.  Under  these  two  famous 
sermons  indeed,  it  was  calculated,  that  the  good 
work  of  the  Spirit  was  either  begun  or  revived  in 
the  hearts  of  no  less  than  fifteen  hundred  persons."^ 
But  he  now  became  an  object  of  bitter  persecution ; 
was  proceeded  against  for  non-conformity ;   and 

*  See  Crookshank's  History  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  vol.  I. 
p.  171. 


^8  ANCESTRY. 

deposed.  The  effect  of  this  arbitrary  and  cruel 
measure  was,  to  induce  him  and  a  number  of  his 
friends,  to  think  seriously  of  emigrating  to  New 
England.  A  vessel  was  built  for  the  purpose ;  and 
they  actually  set  sail  for  America :  but  encounter- 
ing from  the  moment  of  their  departure,  violent 
adverse  winds,  and  being  driven  back  at  last,  after 
a  lapse  of  nearly  two  months,  to  the  port  whence 
they  had  loosed,  the  design  was  altogether  aban- 
doned. In  1638,  he  settled  in  a  place  called  Stran- 
rawer,  in  Scotland ;  and  for  ten  years  he  exercis- 
ed his  ministry  here  with  great  comfort,  and  some 
measure  of  success.  He  had  not  been  long  in  this 
place,  before  some  of  his  parishioners  expressed  a 
wish  to  be  present  at  his  morning  family  exercises. 
To  gratify  them,  as  his  house  could  not  conveniently 
accommodate  all  who  might  desire  to  attend,  he 
assembled  them  every  morning,  in  the  Church,  by 
the  ringing  of  the  bell,  and  spent  about  half  an  hour 
with  them  in  singing,  expoundmg  the  word  of  God, 
and  prayers. 

While  he  retained  this  interesting  charge,  he  was 
several  times  sent  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
church  of  Scotland  to  visit  some  vacant  parishes 
in  the  North  of  Ireland.  Each  missionary  tour 
occupied  three  months  ;  and,  "  for  the  most  part 
of  all  these  three  months,"  he  says,  "  I  preached 


ANCESTRY.  29 

every  day  once,  and  twice  on  the  Sabbath :  the 
destitute  parishes  were  many :  the  hunger  of  the 
people  was  become  great ;  and  the  Lord  w^as  pleas- 
ed to  furnish  otherwise  than  usually  I  was  wont  to 
get  at  home.  I  came  ordinarily  the  night  before  to 
the  place  where  I  was  to  preach,  and  commonly 
lodged  in  some  religious  person's  house,  where 
we  were  often  well  refreshed  at  family  exercise : 
usually  I  desired  no  more  before  I  went  to  bed, 
but  to  make  sure  the  place  of  Scripture  I  was  to 
preach  on  the  next  day.  And  rising  in  the  morn- 
ing, I  had  four  or  five  hours  myself  alone,  either  in 
a  chamber  or  in  the  fields  ;  after  that  we  went  to 
church  and  then  dined,  and  then  rode  some  five  or 
six  miles  more  or  less  to  another  parish." 

From  Stranrawer  he  removed  in  1648,  to  Ancrum, 
in  Tiviotdale.  With  the  people  of  this  place,  he 
continued,  a  number  of  years,  beloved  and  useful ; 
but  that  intolerant  spirit  of  the  time,  which  could 
brook  no  mode  of  worship — no  ministerial  services, 
not  conformed  to  prelatical  rule,  at  length,  procur- 
ed his  banishment,  with  that  of  several  other  emi- 
nent ministers,  from  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain. 

In  April  1663,  he  fled  to  Holland,  and  settled  in 
Rotterdam.  His  wife  and  two  of  the  children  fol- 
lowed him  toward  the  close  of  the  year,  but  five 
children  remained  in  Scotland. 


30  ANCESTRY. 

Having  now  considerable  leisure,  though  he 
preached  frequently  to  the  Scots'  congregation  in 
this  city,  he  diligently  cultivated  the  study  of  the 
Hebrew  language,  and  attempted  to  prepare  for 
publication,  a  volume  containing  the  original  text 
of  the  Bible,  in  one  column,  and  the  several  vulgar 
translations  in  another.  The  design  was  approved 
by  Voetius,  Essenius^  Nethenus,  and  Leusden : 
and  having  spent  much  time  in  comparing  Pagnin's 
version  with  the  original  text,  and  with  other  later 
translations — such  as  Munster's,  Junius,'  Diodati's, 
the  Enghsh,  but  especially  the  Dutch,  the  latest, 
and  esteemed  the  most  accurate  translation,  he  sent 
his  manuscripts  to  Dr.  Leusden,  in  compliance 
with  a  request  of  that  learned  professor,  expecting 
they  would  be  printed  and  pubhshed  in  Utrecht. 
It  is  not  known  what  became  of  the  work  ; — but 
shortly  after  it  was  put  out  of  his  hands,  he  rested 
from  his  labours  on  earth,  and  entered  into  the  joy 
of  his  Lord.  He  died  August  9th,  1672,  aged  69 
years,  having  resided  in  Rotterdam  a  little  over  nine 
years. 

This  man  of  God,  the  principal  events  of 
whose  life  have  been  thus  rapidly  traced,  was,  as 
before  observed,  the  common  ancestor  of  the  Li- 
vingstons in  this  country  :  and  to  be  descended  from 
a  person  of  such  piety,  and  zeal,  and  distinguished 


ANCESTRY.  31 

usefulness  in  the  church  of  God,  is  assuredly  a 
greater  honour  than  to  inherit  a  princely  alUance  : 
— at  least,  the  time  will  come,  and  the  writer 
hopes,  is  not  far  off,  when  even  the  ivorld  will  so 
regard  it. — Let  him  not  be  misunderstood.  He 
did  not  intend,  by  the  remark  just  made,  to  convej' 
an  intimation,  that  saving  grace  descends  byinheri- 
tance ;  but  simply  to  express  his  conviction,  that 
the  day  is  not  very  distant,  when  religion  will  be, 
as  it  ought  now  to  be,  the  chief  concern  of  all  men ; 
— ^when  piety,  though  dwelling  m  the  humblest 
cottage,  and  clothed  in  rags,  will  be  universally 
held  in  higher  estimation,  than  ungodliness,  though 
encircled  with  all  the  splendors  of  royalty ;  and 
consequently,  that  the  respect  which  has  been 
paid,  time  out  of  mind,  to  a  connexion  by  birth  or 
otherwise,  with  the  worldly  rich  and  worldly  great, 
will  be  transferred  to  a  kindred  with  those  whom 
the  word  of  God  denominates  the  excellent  of 
THE  earth. 

But,  if  it  be  granted  that,  at  present,  little  honour 
is  by  some  attached  to  such  descent,  and  that,  it  by 
no  means  secures  the  possession  of  saving  grace  ; 
yet  still  it  may  be  averred,  that  it  is  not  altogether 
unaccompanied  both  with  honour  and  profit. 

,1  good  man  leaveth  an  inheritance  to  his  children's 


32  ANCESTRY. 

children :  *  and  a  history  of  many  of  the  descen- 
dants of  Mr.  Livingston  would  afford  a  fine  illustra- 
tion of  the  truth  of  Solomon's  declaration.  In  the 
history  of  New- York,  by  an  author  of  some  repu- 
tation, the  following  notice  is  taken  of  him  and 
his  family,  as  that  was,  at  the  time,  known  in  this 
country — "  Mr.  John  Livingston,  one  of  the  com- 
missioners from  Scotland,  to  king  Charles  IL  while 
he  was  an  exile  at  Breda.  He  was  a  clergyman 
distinguished  by  his  zeal  and  industry,  and  for  his 
opposition  to  episcopacy  became  so  obnoxious* 
after  the  restoration,  to  the  English  court,  that  he 
left  Scotland,  and  took  the  pastoral  charge  of  an 
English  presbyterian  church  in  Rotterdam.  His 
descendants  are  very  numerous  in  this  province,  and 
the  family  in  the  first  rank  for  their  wealth,  morals, 
and  education.  The  original  diary  in  the  hand- 
writing of  their  common  ancestor  is  still  among 
them,  and  contains  a  history  of  his  life."  f 

The  work  from  Avhich  this  quotation  is  made, 
was  published  in  1756  ; — and  up  to  this  day,  they 
have  maintained,  as  a  family,  the  same  elevated 
station  in  society :  the  name  of  Livingston  has 
been,  generally  speaking,  associated  with  all  that 
is  respectable  in  character — honourably  connected 

*  Prov.  13.  22.         t  Smith's  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  page  160. 


ANCESTRY.  33 

with  the  literature,  jurisprudence,  and  politics  of 
the  state  and  nation. 

There  is  hardly  a  family,  so  ancient  and  numer- 
ous, viewed  in  aU  its  branches,  more  estimable  for 
talent,  and  virtue,  and  important  public  services  ; — 
or  possessing  a  greater  weight  of  character — a 
weight  of  character  obtained  by  a  course  of  meri- 
torious conduct,  through  several  successive  genera- 
tions, by  great  intellectual  distinction,  and  in  some 
instances,  by  pre-eminent  piety  superadded. 

Robert  Livingston,  the  son  of  John,  and  great 
grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  Memoir,  came 
over  to  America,  it  is  probable,  soon  after  his 
father's  death.  The  history  above  quoted,  con- 
tains a  copy  of  the  report  of  a  committee  of  coun- 
cil made  in  1753,  to  the  Governor  of  N.  Y.,  from 
which  it  appears,  that  the  patent  for  the  manor  of 
Livingston  was  granted  in  1686.*  The  same  work 
states,  that  he  was  "a  principal  agent  for  the  conven- 
tion," which  met  in  Albany  in  1689  ;t — and  in 
another  place  it  is  said,  that  "  the  measures  of  the 
convention  were  very  much  directed  by  his  ad- 
vice," and  that  "  he  was  peculiarly  obnoxious  to 
his  adversaries,  because  he  was  a  man  of  sense  and 


*  Smith's  Hist,  page  287.     f  Smith's  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  page  110, 

6 


34  ANCESTRY. 

resolution.''*  He  went  afterwards  to  England,  for 
the  purpose  of  attending  to  his  affairs  ;  and  while 
there,  was  the  means  of  starting  an  enterprise 
against  the  pirates,  at  that  period  very  numerous 
and  destructive.  It  is  no  small  evidence  of  the  re- 
gard entertained  for  him,  and  of  the  confidence  re- 
posed in  his  judgment,  that  the  King,  Lord  Chan- 
cellor Somers,  the  Duke  of  Shrewsbury,  the  Earls 
of  Romney  and  Oxford,  and  other  persons  of  dis- 
tinction, engaged  in  the  adventure,  though  it  ulti- 
mately failed  through  the  villany  of  Kid,  who  was 
intrusted  with  its  execution. 

He  was  connected  by  marriage  with  the  ancient 
and  very  respectable  Schuyler  family,  and  had  three 
sons,  Philip,  Robert,  and  Gilbert.  Among  the  chil- 
dren of  Philip  were — Philip  Livingston,  Esq.  one 
of  the  illustrious  band  of  Patriots,  who  signed  the 
DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE  ;  and  WilUam 
Livingston,  L  L.D.  for  a  series  of  years  Gover- 
nor of  the  State  of  New-Jersey,  a  man  of  warm 
piety,  and  distinguished  for  the  extraordinary  pow- 
ers of  his  mind. 

Robert  had  only  one  son  (Robert),  the  head  of 
the  Clermont  family,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  by 

*  Smith's  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  page  163, 


ANCESTRY.  35 

way  of  distinction,  and  to  which  belonged  the  late 
celebrated  Chancellor  Livingston. 

Gilbert  had  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  Henry, 
his  first  son,  was  the  father  of  John  H  ; — and  of 
Henry,  it  may  be  said,  that  he  was  an  amiable, 
dignified,  and  excellent  man.  Blessed  by  nature, 
with  a  strong  mind — liberally  educated — elegant  of 
manners — irreproachable  in  morals,  he  enjoyed, 
through  a  long  fife,  the  esteem  and  confidence  of 
the  community.  He  was  for  a  considerable  period 
a  member  of  the  colonial  legislature  of  New  York ; 
and  he  was,  by  Letters  patent,  proprietor  of  the 
office  of  Clerk  of  the  county  in  which  he  resided. 
This  office  he  retained  after  the  revolutionary  war 
imtil  his  death.  When  the  arduous  struggle  for 
Independence  commenced,  he  espoused  with  some 
zeal  a  cause  dear  to  every  genuine  American,  and, 
throughout  the  contest,  was  a  decided  friend  to 
his  country. 

He  was  born  September  8th,  1714,  and  died 
February  10th,  1799,  at  his  paternal  estate,  which 
is  situate  in  Dutchess  county,  near  Poughkeepsie, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  and  which  is  now  in  the 
possession  of  his  grandson,  Col.  H.  A.  Livingston, 
having  belonged  to  the  family  for  more  than  a 
century. 


CHAPTER  II. 


FROM  HIS  BIRTH,  TILL  HE  FORMED  THE  RESOLUTION 

OF  DEVOTING  HIMSELF  TO  THE  MINISTRY  OF  THE 

GOSPEL. 

To  survey  the  life  of  a  friend,  whom  we  loved 
when  acting  his  part  among  us,  and  mourned  when 
death  removed  him  from  our  sight,  though  it  may 
awaken  some  sad  recollections,  or  revive  feelings 
upon  which  time  has  laid  his  lenient  hand,  is  a 
gratifying  task.  And,  if  that  friend  ivas  a  child  of 
God  ; — if  we  had  been  in  the  habit  of  regarding 
him  as  an  humble,  heavenly-minded  christian,  whose 
affections  were  set  on  things  above,  and  who  culti- 
vated close  communion  with  God,  through  the 
whole  of  his  pilgrimage  ; — ^if,  moreover,  he  was  a 
herald  of  the  cross^  distinguished  by  his  talents,  and 
learning,  and  virtues,  and  services,  there  is  some 
profit,  as  well  as  pleasure,  in  tracing  his  path  from 
the  cradle  to  the  grave — in  following  him  through 
all  the  way  in  which  the  Lord  had  led  him.  Such 
an  employment  presents  to  our  view  beautiful  ex- 
hibitions of  the  wisdom,  and  goodness,  and  sove- 
reignty of  God  in  the  ways  of  his  providence,  sue- 


EARLY  LIFE.  37 

ceeding"  each  other,  in  admirable  correspondence, 
and  ultimately  conducting  the  individual  to  the 
station  Heaven  had  appointed  him  to  fill: — It 
makes  us  acquainted  with  the  circumstances,  which, 
under  the  divine  blessing,  introduced  him  into  the 
school  of  Christ ; — it  discovers  the  gradual  expan- 
sion and  improvement  of  his  mind  in  that  school, 
and  the  progressive  operation  of  those  gracious 
principles  which  rendered  him  so  eminent  an  ex- 
ample of  piety  while  here — and  which  finally  matur- 
ed him  for  a  better  world.  In  a  word,  it  is  both 
pleasing  and  instructive,  as  it  shows,  not  only  what, 
in  the  dispensations  of  mercy,  had  been  done  for 
him  whose  life  is  the  subject  of  review,  but  also 
the  particular  connexion  he  had  with  the  church  of 
God,  and  in  some  measure  the  important  benefits 
conferred  upon  her,  through  his  honoured  instru- 
ment aUty. 

The  annals  of  such  a  man  are  not,  mdeed,  of  a  cast 
likely  to  attract  the  serious  notice  of  the  men  of  the 
world.  They  can  read  with  rapture  the  story  of 
some  great  philosopher,  statesman,  or  hero  ;  but 
that  of  the  humble,  pious,  faithful  ambassador  of 
Christ,  as  it  savours  of  heavenly  things,  is  not  suit- 
ed to  their  taste,  or  rather,  speaks  too  forcibly  to 
the  conscience,  in  the  perusal  of  it,  however  inter- 
esting its  details,  to  afford  them  pleasure  ;  and  it  is 


i38  EARLY  LIFE. 

not  often,  therefore,  that  reUgious  biography  re- 
ceives much  attention  out  of  the  church.  Be  it  so ; 
stiU  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.  His  faith 
and  charity  and  zeal — his  fervent  prayers — his  af- 
fectionate counsels — his  unwearied  labours  to  pro^ 
mote  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  his  fel- 
low men,  "  smell  sweet  in  death,  and  blossom  in  the 
dust.'*  The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remem- 
brance. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  a  brief  account  was  given 
of  the  lineage  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Living- 
ston, whose  memoir  occupies  these  pages, — a  man, 
who,  through  a  long  and  active  life,  by  his  ardent 
piety — by  the  dignity  and  affabihty  of  his  deport- 
ment— by  the  uniform  abiUty  and  faithfulness  of  his 
publick  ministrations,  commanded  general  confi- 
dence and  esteem ; — a  man,  whose  praise  is  in  all 
the  churches,  but  particularly  endeared  by  many 
pre-eminent  services  to  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church, — First  in  her  Councils, — First  in  her 
honours, — First  in  her  affections. 

The  author  will  now  proceed  to  give  a  narrative 
of  the  life  of  this  excellent  man. 

He  was  the  son  of  Henry  Livingston,  and  S. 
Conklin  his  wife,  and  born  at  Poughkeepsie,  in 


EARLY    LIFE.  39 

Dutchess  county,  ia  this  State,  on  the   30th  of 
May,  A.  D.  1746. 

Neither  pains  nor  expense  were  spared  in  his 
education.  Till  he  was  seven  years  of  age,  he  re- 
ceived no  other  than  parental  instruction,  but  at 
this  period,  there  being  no  school  in  his  native 
place,  he  was  sent  to  Fishkill,  and  put  under  the 
care  of  the  Rev.  Chauncey  Graham.  When  he  had 
been  with  this  gentleman  between  two  and  three 
years,  his  father  obtained  a  competent  private  tu- 
tor for  him.  He  was  accordingly  brought  home, 
and  Mr.  Moss  Kent,  (the  father  of  the  late  Chan- 
cellor James  Kent,  Esq.)  a  gentleman  whose  qua- 
lifications for  the  trust  were  very  respectable,  and 
of  whose  faithful  attentions  to  him,  he  ever  after- 
wards cherished  a  grateful  recollection, — was  now 
charged  with  the  superintendence  of  his  studies. 
With  the  assistance  of  such  an  instructer,  and 
possessing  a  docile  and  inquisitive  mind,  his  im- 
provement, the  two  following  years,  in  classical 
literature,  and  in  such  other  scholastic  branches 
as,  at  the  time,  were  taught  to  prepare  young  men 
for  admission  into  college,  was  considerable.  And 
it  is  a  fact,  whatever  may  be  said  in  favour  of  an 
early  public  education — and  the  advantages  enjoy- 
ed in  some  seminaries  are  certainly  great, — that 
private  histruction,  judiciously  and  faithfully  impart- 


40  EARLY  LIFE. 

ed,  under  the  eye  of  a  parent,  is  very  conducive 
to  the  proficiency  of  a  pupil — particularly,  if  he 
shows  some  quickness  of  parts  and  a  thirst  for  learn- 
ing. He  has  few  temptations  to  idleness ;  his 
difficulties  may  be  removed  as  soon  as  they  occur  ; 
the  ordinary  conversation  of  his  teacher  with  whom 
he  lives,  in  some  measure,  as  a  companion,  has  a 
salutary  influence  over  him ;  and  thus  favoured, 
he  cannot  but  find  the  acquisition  of  knowledge 
easy  and  pleasant. — Young  Livingston  found  it  so, 
while  he  had  the  benefit  of  the  instruction  and  com- 
pany of  Mr.  Kent.  Speaking  of  the  advantages 
he  enjoyed  at  this  time,  in  a  short  memoir  written 
by  himself,  he  says  : — "  I  proceeded  with  delight 
and  success  in  my  studies,  during  the  years  1755  and 
1756." 

The  ensuing  year,  he  was  placed  in  a  grammar 
school  at  New  Milford,  in  Connecticut,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  JV*.  Taylor ;  and  with 
this  gentleman  he  continued  about  a  year.  Having 
finished  his  preparatory  studies,  in  Sept.  1758,  when 
only  a  little  over  twelve  years  old,  he  was  examin- 
ed and  admitted  a  member  of  the  Freshman  class, 
of  Yale  College,  in  New  Haven. 

The  country,  at  the  period  referred  to,  was  not 
distinguished  for  good  literature.    Education  was 


EARLY    LIFE.  41 

in  its  infancy,  and  what  was  termed  a  liberal  one, 
comprehended  attainments,  in  certain  branches  at 
least,  which  at  the  present  day,  in  some  of  our  prin- 
cipal seminaries,  would  hardly  be  deemed  a  suffi- 
cient preparation  for  commencing  a  collegiate 
course.  The  learned  men  of  that  day — and  there 
were  not  a  few  to  be  found,  in  every  profession, 
justly  entitled  to  the  appellation — were  less  indebt- 
ed to  early  advantages  than  to  their  own  genius  and 
appUcation,  for  their  success  in  literary  pursuits. 
Classical  learning  in  particular  was,  in  several 
colleges,  lightly  esteemed,  or  comparatively  held  in 
contempt ; — and  such  appears  to  have  been  the  fact, 
in  the  college  at  New-Haven,  at  the  time  of  Mr» 
Livingston's  matriculation — though  probably,  in 
point  of  reputation,  and  real  merit  indeed,  it  was 
not  inferior  to  any  similar  institution. — It  was  then 
under  the  presidency  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Clapp,  a 
distinguished  mathematician,  whose  influence  ren- 
dered the  science  of  mathematics  a  leading  sub- 
ject of  study  among  his  scholars.  This  they 
pursued  with  a  degree  of  enthusiastic  ardour  ; — 
other  subjects  of  equal,  if  not  greater  importance, 
were,  it  would  seem,  neglected,  or  treated  by  many 
as  scarce  deserving  attention. 

Almost  immediately,  therefore,  upon  Mr.  Living- 
ston's entrance,  he,  in  common  with  his  associates, 

e 


42  EARLY   LIFE. 

became  enamoured  of  the  favourite  study ;  and  it 
will  surprise  no  one  to  learn,  if  his  age  be  kept  in 
mind,  that  in  some  branches  of  it — as  Trigonome- 
try, Navigation,  Surveying,  Astronomy,  he  found 
some  things  beyond  his  comprehension.  He  was 
chiefly  occupied  with  these  studies  during  the  first 
half  of  his  collegiate  life  ; — and  in  riper  years,  he 
ever  very  justly  considered  that  half  as  having  been 
spent  to  little  purpose. 

As  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages  were  not 
highly  rated,  and  but  slightly  studied,  the  stock  of 
classical  knowledge  with  which  he  had  been  pre- 
viously furnished,  was  not  much  increased  while  he 
was  in  college  ; — but  that  knowledge  enabled  him 
to  appear,  young  as  he  was,  to  considerable  ad- 
vantage among  his  fellow-students. — Some  of  them, 
pretty  well  grown  up,  it  has  been  said,  when  about 
to  prepare  their  classic  exercises,  would  often 
pleasantly  seat  him  upon  their  knees — as  he  was 
then  quite  little, — and  with  all  deference,  learn  of 
him. — The  anecdote  shows  that  he  was  esteemed 
a  remarkably  good  scholar  in  the  languages. 

He  finished  his  academical  course,  and  took  the 
first  degree  in  the  arts,  in  July,  1762. 

Having  emerged  from  a  state  of  literary  pupil- 
age, he  determined  to  enter  at  once  upon  profes- 


EARLY  LIFE.  43 

sional  studies  :  and  the  profession,  which  he  deci- 
dedly preferred  to  any  other,  presented,  it  must 
be  confessed,  to  a  youth  of  his  promise  and  connex- 
ions, very  powerful  attractions.  He  chose  the 
law  ;  and  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year — soon 
after  his  return  from  college — commenced  his  pre- 
paratory reading  in  the  office  of  Bartholomew 
Crannel,  Esq.  of  Poughkeepsie,  a  gentleman  of 
note  as  an  able  counsellor  and  eloquent  advocate. 
— He  was  now,  as  he  supposed,  in  the  broad  and 
ample  road  to  future  distinction. — "Plans  and 
views,"  he  says  in  his  own  brief  memoir,  "  of  fu- 
ture eminence  engrossed  all  my  wishes,  constitu- 
ted the  sum  of  my  present  enjoyments,  and  finish- 
ed the  prospects  of  succeeding  happiness," — and 
there  can  be  little  question,  that,  had  he  prosecu- 
ted the  study  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  the 
profession,  he  would,  before  many  years,  have  at- 
tained unto  its  highest  honours.  The  talents  he 
possessed,  with  his  dignified  and  pleasing  address, 
and  with  the  influence,  in  his  favour,  of  a  large  cir- 
cle of  respected  relatives  and  friends,  doubtless 
would  have  soon  elevated  him  to  the  first  place, 
either  at  the  bar,  or  upon  the  bench. 

As  yet,  it  does  not  appear,  that  he  knew  any 
thing  of  the  power  of  religion. — He  had  preserved 
an  unsullied  moral  character  through  a  season  of 


44  EARLY  LIFE. 

education,  which  ever  abounds  with  temptations  to 
folly,  and  in  circumstances  of  peculiar  exposure 
to  such  temptations  :  — and,  in  the  sweetness  of  his 
natural  disposition — ^in  the  accomplishments  of  his 
mind — in  the  filial  respect  and  affection  with  which 
he  behaved  to  his  parents — in  diUgent  attention  to 
Ms  studies — in  everypartofhisdeportment,  he  was 
an  amiable  and  hopeful  youth,  few  perhaps  more 
so  ; — affording  flattering  presages  of  no  common 
worth  and  estimation,  when  he  should  be  more  ad- 
vanced in  years  and  fully  employed  in  professional 
duties. — But,  as  yet,  he  was  an  almost  utter  stranger 
to  God  and  religion.  He  had  walked  according 
to  the  course  of  this  world.  He  still  lacked  one 
things — that  one  thing,  without  which  all  else  is  but 
vanity — of  transient  utility  at  best, — unconnected 
with  any  eternal  beneficial  results,  either  to  its  pos- 
sessor or  to  others. 

A  writer  of  the  last  century  has  somewhere  ob- 
served that "  proud  views  and  vain  desires  in  our 
worldly  employments  are  as  truly  vices  and  corrup- 
tions, as  hypocrisy  in  prayer  or  vanity  in  alms."* 
The  observation  is  certainly  a  correct  one  :  and  a 
more  unequivocal  proof  of  an  unhumbled,  unsanc- 

*  Law 


EAKLY  LIFE.  45 

tified  heart,  need  not  to  be  given,  than  the  indul- 
gence of  such  views  and  desires. 

Mr.  Livingston  was  actuated,  when  he  made  the 
above  choice  of  a  profession,  by  an  inordinate  am- 
bition of  the  honours  of  the  world  ;  and  the  fact 
clearly  evinces  that  he  was  then  without  hope,  in  a 
state  of  great  spiritual  blindness,  alienated  from  the 
life  of  God  through  the  ignorance  that  was  in  him. 

The  reader  must  not  infer,  however,  from  this  re- 
mark, that  he  was  void  of  all  serious  impressions- 
Impressions  of  divine  truth,  of  a  powerful  kind, 
had  been  early  made  upon  his  mind,  which  were 
never  wholly  erased,  and  which,  when  from  under 
the  watchful  eyes  of  his  parents,  and  mingling  at 
pleasure  with  college  companions  and  others,  had  a 
happy  influence  upon  him.  He  had  been  instruct- 
ed in  those  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  the  be- 
lief of  which  involved  his  present  and  everlasting 
peace.  Though  he  could  not  intelligently  unite  in 
the  publick  worship  of  God,  in  his  native  place — 
being  there,  at  the  time,  conducted  in  the  Dutch 
language — yet  he  had  be.  n  carefully  trained  up  to 
a  rehgious  observance  of  the  Sabbath ;  and  after- 
wards, when  he  became  a  member  of  college,  it 
was  his  privilege  to  hear,  in  a  language  that  he  did 
understand,  the  precious  truths  of  salvation,  regu- 


46  IJARLY  LIFE. 

larly  and  faithfully  inculcated  upon  the  Lord's  day. 
These  means,  if  not  immediately  followed  by  a  sa- 
ving change  of  heart,  at  any  particular  period  of 
their  enjoyment,  were  not  altogether  unproductive 
of  salutary  effects. — "  While  I  was  yet  a  child,"  he 
says, "  the  solemn  impressions  of  the  being  and 
presence  of  God,  of  my  dependence  upon  him, 
and  the  awful  realities  of  a  future  state,  were  very 
strong,  and  frequently  interrupted  me  in  my  play 
and  sports.  I  often  left  my  little  companions  and 
sought  some  retired  spot,  where  I  might  pray,  with- 
out being  observed.  What  I  prayed  for,  and  what 
my  views  and  exercises  in  prayer  were,  I  do  not 
now  reccoUect ;  but  there  was  something  of  the 
fear  and  reverence  of  God,  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and 
an  universal  obligation  to  fulfil  every  duty,  which 
occupied  my  mind,  aroused  my  conscience,  and 
convinced  me  that  I  could  never  be  happy,  if  I  re- 
mained an  enemy  to  God,  or  wilfully  transgressed 
his  holy  commandments. — But  these  first  princi- 
ples or  convictions,  whatever  they  were,  did  not 
prove  effectual  to  produce  conversion.  They 
were  changeable  and  transient.  They  frequently 
returned,  and  were  as  frequentl}  forgotten,  except- 
ing that  they  created  in  me  a  lively  and  tender  con- 
science, which,  through  all  the  gidd}  mazes,  violent 
temptations,  and  wild  eccentricities  of  youth,  never 
wholly  forsook  me.     They  excited  a  rigid  moni- 


BABLY  LIFE.  47 

tor  within  my  breast,  and  often  silently  but  power- 
fully preserved  me  from  follies  and  sins  which, 
otherwise,  I  should  undoubtedly  have  perpetrated. 
I  recollect  instances  wherein  the  Lord,  with  a 
strong  hand  and  discernible  interposition,  prevent- 
ed me  from  committing  sins  where  temptations 
were  numerous  and  urgent.  These  early  impres- 
sions went  no  farther. — The  amount  of  benefits  re- 
sulting from  early  parental  instruction,  and  from  all 
the  ordinances  and  sermons  I  had  heard  during  my 
whole  life,  was  nothing  more  than  some  confused 
ideas  of  truths,  which  I  did  not  understand,  or  be- 
lieve. This  was  my  own  fault,  for  I  had  not  been  in 
earnest  or  desirous  to  know  the  Lord  or  obey  his 
word." 

The  fault  most  assuredly  was  his  own  ;  and  he 
is  not  the  only  one  who  has  had  to  acknowledge  the 
neglect  or  abuse  of  precious  means  of  grace. — 
Some,  possibly,  who  read  these  pages  can  confess, 
that  they  have  sadly  disregarded  the  tears,  and 
prayers,  and  faithful  instructions  of  pious  friends — 
still  living,  or  peradventure,  already  mouldering  in 
the  grave, — and  that  various  opportunities  of  reli- 
gious improvement,  which  a  kind  providence  has 
permitted  them  to  enjoy,  through  their  own  remiss- 
ness or  obstinacy,  have  proved  of  very  little  bene- 
fit to  their  souls.     Happy  they,  who  see  and  own 


48  liARLY  LIFi;. 

their  sins,  in  the  exercise  of  repentance  towards 
God,  and  of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ! — If, 
however,  he  had  no  clear,  distmct  perception  of 
evangehcal  truth — no  genuine  gracious  experience, 
under  parental  and  ministerial  teaching;  still,  as 
has  beenbefore  remarked— and  the  same  is  evident 
from  his  own  words — it  was,  in  a  very  important 
sense,  profitable  to  him :  and  though  such  early 
teaching  never  had,  in  any  case,  any  other  effect, 
than  simply  to  preserve  a  young  person  from  the 
follies  and  dangers  to  which,  in  his  intercourse  with 
the  world,  he  cannot  but  be  greatly  exposed,  or  to 
check  his  waywardness — this  alone  constitutes  an 
ample  reward  for  all  the  toil,  and  sohcitude,  and 
patience,  of  the  teacher — be  he  a  parent  or  a  pas- 
tor. 

But  the  convictions  and  impressions  which  Mr, 
Livingston  received  from  time  to  time,  were  con- 
nected, it  is  believed,  more  closely  than  he  seems 
to  have  imagined,  with  his  future  conversion.  They 
were  pleasing  indications  that  the  Spirit  of  God  was 
hovering  about  his  path  ;  and  it  is  not  improbable 
that  they  formed,  in  their  effect,  the  incipient  step 
in  that  renovating  process  which  it  was  his  happi- 
ness subsequently  to  experience.  Conviction  is 
not  indeed  conversion, — nor  does  conversion  always 
follow  conviction ;  and  conviction,  therefore,  cannot 


EARLY    LIFE.  4^. 

be  relied  upon  as  an  infallible  sign  of  the  presence 
and  operation  of  saving  grace  : — ^yet  more  or  less 
conviction  precedes  conversion ;  and,  when  it  comes 
again  and  agam,  exciting  to  prayer  and  vigilance 
and  other  religious  duties  as  often  as  it  comes, — 
it  looks,  to  say  the  least,  as  if  the  Lord,  in  the  dis- 
pensations of  his  mercy,  is  preparing  the  way  for 
the  good  work. — How  far  the  way  is  thus  prepared, 
or  the  precise  connexion  between  the  work  and  cer- 
tain antecedent  circumstances  which,  as  means 
serve  to  introduce  it,  will  be  best  known  in  that 
world  where  the  dealings  of  God  can  be  accurately 
retraced,  and  where,  upon  remembermg  all  that  the 
Lord  had  done  for  him,  the  heir  of  glory  willbe  con- 
strained to  exclaim — He  hath  done  all  things  well. 

Mr.  Livingston  appUed  liimself  assiduously  to 
the  study  of  law  until  the  close  of  1764,  when 
his  health  being  a  good  deal  impaired,  in  conse- 
quence,  as  he  supposed,  of  close  application  to  read- 
ing and  writing,  he  deemed  it  his  duty  to  give  up 
his  attendance  at  the  oihce  of  Mr.  Crannel.  This 
retirement  gave  him  abundant  leisure  for  serious 
reflection  ;  and  apprehensive,  from  some  symp- 
toms of  pulmonary  disease,  that  his  glass  was  near- 
ly run,  and  that  he  would  soon  have  to  appear  be- 
fore the  Judge  of  all  the  earth,  the  momentous  con- 
cerns of  eternity  took  entire  possession  of  his  mind 

He  now  saw  his  true  character  and  condition  as  a 

7 


50  EARLY  LIFE. 

sinner,  and  for  a  season,  was  in  deep  distress — but 
it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  length,  to  lift  up  the  light  of 
his  reconciled  countenance  upon  him,  and  to  give 
him  peace.  * 

The  reader  will  no  doubt  be  gratified  to  see  his 
own  account  of  a  work,  which  resulted  in  a  cordial 
submission  to  Christ  as  the  Lord,  his  Redeemer. 

"A  Book,  "  he  says,  "  of  Bunyan,  I  think  it  was 
— Grace  abounding  to  the  chief  of  sinners,  first  ex- 
cited sharp  and  irresistible  alarms  in  my  soul,  but 
I  obtained  no  particular  instruction  nor  received 
any  other    advantage  from  that  book.      In   my 

*  It  is  stated,  in  one  or  two  little  sketches  of  his  life,  which 
the  author  has  seen  in  print,  that  he  was  converted  under  the 
ministry  of  the  late  pious  and  excellent  Dr.  Laidlie.  This  is  a 
mistake.  He  did  not  become  acquainted  with  that  distinguish- 
ed man  of  God,  till  the  summer  of  1765, — some  considerable 
time  after  the  blessed  change  had,  as  he  believed,  taken  place. — 
If  he  had  previously  ever  heard  him  preach,  which  might  have 
been  the  case,  and  the  sermon  or  sermons  had  proved  so  profit- 
able to  his  soul,  it  can  hardly  be  supposed,  that  he  would  have 
failed  to  notice  the  incident,  when  giving  himself,  quite  a  minute 
detail  of  the  commencement  and  progress  of  his  religious  exer- 
cises.— In  this,  however,  there  is  nothing  of  the  kind  mentioned 
or  even  alluded  to ;  and  what  he  does  say  of  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances, under  which  his  attention  was  directed  to  eternal  things, 
corresponds  ^vith  the  representation  made  above. 


EARLY    LIFE.  51 

father's  library,  among  other  religious  books,  I 
found  Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress,  &c.  This 
gave  me  more  enlarged  and  correct  views  of  reli- 
gion than  I  ever  had  before.  I  perused  it  with 
great  attention  and  much  prayer,  and  wished  to 
feel  and  experience  the  power  of  the  truths,  as  they 
occurred  in  succession.  This  book  was  useM  and 
blessed  to  me  beyond  any  uninspired  volume  I  ever 
read.  But  my  chief  attention  was  fixed  upon  the 
Sacred  Scriptures.  I  knew  nothing  of  the  peculiar 
nature  of  a  divine  revelation,  nor  of  the  distinct 
classes  of  arguments,  which  prove  the  Bible  to  be 
written  by  men  inspired  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  but 
there  was  an  internal  evidence  in  that  sacred  Book, 
— there  was  a  majesty,  sublimity,  and  authority  con- 
nected with  perspicuity  and  power,  which  com- 
manded my  attention,  and  enjoined  obedience. — 
The  divine  perfections  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God ;  and  his  glorious  works, 
as  delineated  in  the  Bible,  I  was  sure  were  agreea- 
ble to  truth.  And  I  found  the  secrets  of  my  heart, 
my  state,  my  character,  my  principles  and  conduct, 
were  all  naked  and  open  to  the  word  of  God.  To 
receive,  therefore,that  blessed  Volume,  without  he- 
sitation, as  the  standard  of  my  faith  and  practice, 
was  my  ardent  wish,  being  firmly  persuaded  that  I 
should  be  condemned  or  accepted  agreeably  to  its 
infallible  declarations.     To  understand  the  Scrip- 


'i*^* 


52  EARLY   LIFE. 

tures  became  consequently  my  earnest  study  and 
daily  prayer,  and  to  them  I  appealed  upon  every 
question  which  arose  in  my  mind." 

"  Convictions  of  sin,  of  guilt,  and  misery,  became 
clear  and  pungent ;  and  some  confused  idea  of  re- 
demption through  a  Saviour,  and  the  possibility  of 
pardon,  and  the  restoration  of  my  depraved  nature, 
engaged  my  thoughts  and  prayers,  without  inter- 
mission. For  several  months,  I  could  do  nothing 
but  read  and  meditate,  plead  at  a  throne  of  grace, 
and  weep  over  my  wretched  and  lost  estate." 

"  As  new  inquiries  and  difficulties  arose,  and  new- 
truths,  with  their  inseparable  consequences,  came 
under  consideration,  I  repaired  to  the  Bible,  I  sup- 
plicated for  hght  and  instruction,  and  had  to  con- 
tend, study,  and  struggle  for  every  article  of  faith 
in  succession." 

"  Two  doctrines,  above  all  others,  engaged  my 
ardent  attention,  and  caused  a  severe  and  long 
conflict." 

"  The  first  was  the  divinity  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  I  saw,  in  his  word,  that  he  was  a  great 
Saviour ;  that  the  Father  was  well  pleased  in  his 
Son,  and  that  sinners,  the  chief  of  sinners,  were 


EARLY  LIFE.  53 

accepted  in  the  Beloved.  I  believed  that  he  was 
able  to  save,  even  to  the  uttermost,  all  who  came 
unto  God  by  him.  It  was  also  evident,  that  in  all 
his  fulness,  he  was  freely  offered  in  the  Gospel,  and 
the  vilest  sinners  were  authorized  and  commanded 
to  believe  in  liim,  to  accept  him  in  all  his  glorious 
offices,  and  become  exclusively  his  property.  But 
if  he  were  only  a  man,  I  did  not  dare  to  give  myself 
away  wholly  to  him,  as  I  should  then,  by  a  solemn 
act,  engage  to  belong  to  a  mere  creature,  and  thus, 
by  becoming  united  even  to  Jesus,  I  should  not 
yet  come  home  to  my  God,  from  whom  1  had  re- 
volted. This  checked  my  exercises  for  a  time, 
and  brought  me  into  great  fears  and  perplexity ; 
until,  from  his  word,  I  obtained  a  clearer  discovery 
of  the  perfections  of  God,  and  of  the  infinite  evil  of 
sin.  This  convinced  me  that  no  finite  arm  could 
vindicate  the  divine  government,  and  rescue  me 
from  the  curse  ;  that  he  alone  who  made  me  could 
possess  authority  and  power  to  redeem  me  ;  and 
that  my  Saviour  must  not  only  be  truly  man,  but 
also  truly  (iod.  I  then  satisfactorily  perceived 
and  understood  that  it  was  the  doctrine  of  the  Bible; 
I  saw  it  was  the  uniform  declaration  of  the  sacred 
scriptures,  that  the  Son  of  God  was  one  with  the 
Father  ;  that  he  that  hath  seen  the  Son  hath  seen 
the  Father  ;  and  that,  therefore,  if  I  came  to  Jesus 
I  should  come  home  to  my  God  :  my  Maker  would 


54  EARLY  LIFE. 

be  my  husband.     Of  that  interesting  truth  I  have 
never  doubted  since. 

"  The  other  doctrine  which  fixed  my  attention 
and  excited  much  care  and  study  respected  Justifi- 
cation. 

"  A  conviction  of  guilt  and  misery,  of  pollution 
and  inability,  assured  me  of  the  impossibihty  of  my 
being  accepted  of  God,  either  in  whole  or  in  part, 
for  any  thing  to  be  produced  or  performed  by  me. 
I  was  fully  convinced  that  without  a  better  right- 
eousness than  my  own,  I  must  and  should  perish 
forever.  This  conviction  prompted  me  most  atten- 
tively to  read,  and  with  fervent  prayer  to  study  the 
word  of  God.  I  made  no  use  of  commentaries, 
nor  any  human  aid,  but  perused  and  compared  again 
and  again  the  sacred  scriptures,  especially  the  Pro- 
phecy of  Isaiah,  the  Epistles  of  Paul  to  the  Romans 
and  to  the  Galatians,  the  first  Epistle  of  Peter, 
and  the  Gospel  of  John.  These  I  attentively  read, 
— upon  these  I  meditated,  and  with  a  sincere  de- 
sire for  instruction,  continually  supplicated  the 
throne  of  grace  to  be  led  into  the  truth,  preserved 
from  error,  and  estabhshed  in  the  doctrine  of  the 
Gospel.  And  it  pleased  the  Lord,  I  trust,  to  give 
me  the  light  and  instruction  I  sought.  The  right- 
eousness of  Christ,  comprising  his  active  and  pas- 


EARLY  LIFE.  55 

sive  obedience,  and  the  imputation  of  that  right- 
eousness to  every  soul  who  receives  the  Saviour  by 
faith,  and  thus,  by  his  Spirit,  becomes  united  to  him, 
which  is  the  basis  upon  which  imputation  rests, 
were  rendered  so  intelhgible,  clear  and,  convincing 
to  my  mind,  that  I  considered  the  result  to  be  the 
teacliing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  by  his  word,  and  receiv- 
ed it  and  submitted  to  it,  as  such,  without  any 
wavering  or  carnal  disputation. — That  the  atone- 
ment of  Christ  was  specific,  complete,  and  worthy 
of  all  acceptation,  I  was  sure. 

"  These  were  my  views  of  justification  by  faith, 
but  not  for  faith.  And  mv  belief  of  the  relation  of 
God  the  Redeemer  to  all  the  redeemed,  and  of  the 
imputed  righteousness  of  the  precious  Saviour, 
was  then  so  decided,  clear  and  full,  that  although  a 
long  hfe  of  study  in  this,  and  other  doctrines,  has 
succeeded,  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  ever  obtained 
one  new  or  additional  idea,  respecting  the  justifi- 
cation of  a  sinner  All  I  know  of  it,  I  gained  at 
that  period  of  my  life  and  of  ray  exercises,  and  no 
adverse  winds  of  false  doctrines  have  ever  shaken 
my  faith." 

That  these  two  great  fundamental  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  which  so  clearly  exhibit  the  unsearcha- 
ble riches  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  so  clearly  se- 


5t>  EARLY  LIFE. 

cure  all  the  glory  to  God,  in  the  salvation  of  a  sin- 
ner, should  at  first  excite  some  opposition  in  his 
mind,  is  not  at  all  astonishing.  They,  of  all  others, 
are  the  truths ^  which  the  proud,  unsanctified  heart 
most  perfectly  hates,  and  to  which,  until  subdued 
by  the  spirit  of  God — until  driven  from  every  re- 
fuge of  Ues,  and  convinced  that  the  reception  of 
them  is  essential  to  salvation,  it  will  not  yield  an  ho- 
nest submission.  Few  that  have  passed  from  death 
unto  life  have  not  been  sensible  of  resistance  to 
these  cardinal  points  of  faith  : — Yet  not  one  has 
found  solid  peace  and  hope  in  God,  till  he  cordially 
embraced  them. 

Justification  by  the  imputed  righteousness  of  a 
Divine  Redeemer,  Luther  calls,  articulus  stantis 
vel  cadentis  ecclesim  ; — and  it  is  a  wellspring  of 
the  purest  and  richest  consolation  to  every  soul,  that 
duly  apprehends  the  terrors  of  divine  wrath,  and 
sees  no  help  but  in  Christ.  The  discovery,  that 
the  blood  of  the  Saviour  is  blood  of  infinite  value, 
and  that  in  him  there  is  righteousness — a  finished 
righteousness,  accompanied  by  faith,  brings  to  the 
sinner,  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  his  guilt  and  ruin, 
light,  peace,  and  joy. 

But  to  return  to  Mr.  Livingston's  description  of 
his  religious  exercises : 


*'  During  these  studies  and  conflicts,  a  sense  of 
guilt  increased,  and  the  most  distressing  convic- 
tions of  sin  excited  amazement  and  terrors,  which 
no  words  can  express.  My  unbelief  prevented  me 
from  closing  with  the  gracious  calls  of  the  Gospel ; 
my  heart  remained  so  hard  and  stubborn,  and  my 
fears  became  so  alarming  that  I  was  reduced  to  the 
brink  of  despair,  and  felt  and  experienced  what  if 
would  be  improper  even  to  mention.  In  this  dread- 
ful  horror  of  soul,  and  fearful  state  of  mind,  I  con- 
tinued many  weeks ;  and  had  it  continued  much 
longer,  or  arose  a  little  higher,  I  must  have  died. 
I  believed  the  Lord  Jesus  was  able  to  save  me,  but 
I  could  not  believe  that  he  was  wilhng  to  receive 
and  save  a  wretch,  who  had  sinned  so  much,  and 
resisted  his  grace  so  long  as  I  had  done." 

"  At  length  it  pleased  him  to  conquer  my  un- 
belief, by  convincing  me  that  if  the  Saviour  was 
able  to  save  me,  he  must,  most  assuredly,  be  also 
willing,  and  that  as  such,  he  had  pledged  himself 
not  to  cast  out  any  who  came  to  him.  This  broke 
the  chains  and  brought  me  into  liberty.  This  dis- 
pelled doubts,  removed  fears,  and  conquered  des- 
pondency. This  gave  me  free  and  cheerful  access 
to  a  throne  of  grace.  I  found  a  warrant  and  free- 
dom to  give  myself  away  to  the  blessed  Jesus,  and 

I  did  most  unreservedly  do  it,  with  the  greatest 

8 


58  EARLY  LIFE. 

willingness,  sincerity,  joy,   and  eagerness,  that  1 
ever  performed  any  act  in  my  life." 

"  Now  consolations  succeeded  to  griefs.  I  lived 
by  faith.  I  found  rest,  and  knew  what  it  was  to 
have  Christ  living  in  me.  I  had  joy  and  peace  in 
believing.  I  was  conscious  that  I  had  received  the 
divine  Redeemer  in  all  his  offices,  as  offered  to  sin- 
ners in  his  word  ;  that  I  had  devoted  myself,  for 
time  and  eternity  to  him,  and  was  no  longer  my 
own  ;  and  that  I  had  actually  become  united  to 
him.  I  have  never  doubted  of  this  transaction, 
through  all  the  trials  of  faith,  to  this  day." 

Unbelief  is  the  strongest  of  the  strong  holds 
which  the  great  adversary  occupies  in  the  sinner's 
heart,  and  he  will  maintain  it  as  long  as  he  can  ; 
but  the  power  of  Christ  can,  and  will,  demolish  it ; 
— Grace  will  triumph  at  last.  This  struggle  be- 
tween sin  and  grace,  which  is  related  with  much 
simpUcity  and  clearness,  was  sharp,  and  of  long  con- 
tinuance, but  the  issue  was  glorious.  It  was  severe 
experience; — ^butit  furnished  him  with  the  most 
pleasing  evidence  of  the  kindness  and  love  of  God 
his  Saviour  to  his  own  soul,  audit  effectually  school- 
ed him  for  the  work  o'f  guiding  and  comforting 
others,  who  might  have  similar  conflicts — a  work 
in  which,  throughout  his  ministry,  he  was  acknow- 


EARLY  LIFE.  59 

ledged  to  be  eminently  useful.  All  who  are  taught 
of  the  Spu"it  of  God,  are  taught  the  same  great 
truths  pertaining  to  salvation  ;  but,  as  all  do  not  have 
exactly  the  same  exercises,  or  the  same  measure  of 
conviction,  temptation,  and  distress,  and  the  same 
measure  of  faith  and  enjoyment,  it  is  no  small 
proof  of  the  tender  and  faithful  care  of  the  chief 
Shepherd  for  his  flock,  when  he  raises  up  and  sends 
forth  those  to  feed  them  who  are  amply  quahfied 
to  use  the  tongue  of  the  learned  upon  the  subject  of 
Christian  experience. 

Having  thus  solemnly  given  himself  to  Christ, 
and  obtained  a  comfortable  persuasion  of  the  se- 
curity of  his  eternal  interests,  some  may  be  curious 
to  know,  whether  he  long  held  fast  the  confidence 
and  the  rejoicing  of  the  hope,  or  whether,  through 
the  devices  of  Satan  an  unfavourable  change  in  his 
views  and  feelings,  did  not  soon  after  occiur. — It  is 
not  often  indeed,  that  the  joy  felt  immediately  upon 
conversion,  continues,  for  any  considerable  time, 
unabated. — The  beheverisnow  engaged  in  a  war- 
fare, in  which  a  wily  and  powerful  enemy,  without 
constant  watching  and  praying,  will  get  an  advan- 
tage, and  involve  him  in  new  troubles  : — it  is  fre- 
quently the  case,  that  he  is  not  brought  at  once 
into  a  settled  state  of  peace  ;  that  upon  some  fresh 
and  unexpected  assault,  or  perceiving  the  working 


liO  EARLY  LIFE. 

of  some  corruption  which  he  had  supposed  to  be 
slain,  he  becomes  again  depressed  with  doubts  and 
fears,  and  walks  for  a  season  in  darkness. — But  in 
this  respect  Mr.  Livingston  appears  to  have  been 
peculiarly  favoured  by  his  divine  Master. — "  For 
some  months,"  he  says,  "  my  consolations  abound- 
ed ;  and  I  felt  a  degree  of  that  love  which  casteth 
out  fear.  Raised  from  the  depths  of  despair,  and 
brought  out  of  darkness  into  light,  I  now  enjoyed 
all  that  assurance  of  salvation  and  rapture  of  hope 
which  a  lively,  direct,  and  appropriating  faith  in  my 
blessed  Jesus  produced.  I  realized  my  union  with 
him  ;  I  derived  of  his  fulness,  and  walked  in  the 
light  of  the  countenance  of  the  God  of  my  salva- 
tion." 

"  Sin  appeared  exceeding  sinM.  With  a  bro- 
ken and  contrite  heart  I  sincerely  repented  of  it ; 
and  I  especially  mourned  when  I  looked  unto  him 
whom  I  had  pierced.  I  abhorred  myself  as  a  mon- 
ster of  iniquity  and  ingratitude,  while  I  fled  for 
refuge  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before  me. 
Willing  and  desirous  to  be  saved  from  my  sins,  and 
hungering  and  tliirsting  after  righteousness,  my 
Saviour  became  very  precious  to  my  soul.  He  was 
the  Lord,  my  righteousness  and  strength,  my  way, 
my  end,  my  life,  my  all  in  all.  The  word.  Gal.  ii. 
20,  was  realized  and  foremost  in  my  exercises  for 


EARLY    LIFE.  61 

some  time.  I  believed,  experienced,  and  repeated- 
ly said,  /  am  crucified  with  Christ :  tievertheless  I 
live  ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me  :  and  the 
life  which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh  Hive  by  the  faith  of 
the  /Son  of  God,  who  loved  me  and  gave  himself  for 
me.  I  now  knew  that  divine  grace  had  reduced  a 
prodigal  to  his  right  mind,  and  brought  a  wander- 
ing and  unworthy  child  home  to  his  father.  With 
my  whole  heart,  I  earnestly  and  repeatedly  devot- 
ed myself  to  him,  in  a  covenant,  which  I  was  con- 
fident was  in  all  things  well  ordered  and  sure.  I 
now  had  but  one  Master  who  had  bought  me  with 
a  price.  To  him,  I  exclusively  belonged,  and  in 
the  strength  of  his  grace  I  resolved,  with  self  de- 
nial and  perseverance,  to  follow  and  serve  him 
alone." 

"  This  opened  to  me  sublime  and  affecting 
views.  This  broke  the  prevailing  power  of  sin  in 
my  soul,  and  it  has  never  had  dominion  over  me 
since.  This  inspired  me  with  supreme  love  to  God 
and  hoUness ;  and  suggested  ends  and  motives  un- 
known to  me  before  Every  thing  appeared,  and 
was  in  fact,  then,  new  to  me.  With  the  change  of 
my  relative  state,  when  upon  receiving  Christ,  I  ob- 
tained the  adoption  ;  he  changed  also  my  internal 
state,  and  gave  me  a  new  heart,  with  the  temper  and 
affections  of  a  child.  John  i.  12,  13. — In  the  happy 


62  EARLY  LIFE. 

frame,  which  these  exercises  and  the  communica- 
tions of  the  divine  presence  excited,  I  continued 
for  some  time  with  inexpressible  dehght ;  and  was 
convinced  it  would  be  easy  to  suffer  martyrdom, 
if  the  Lord  should  please  to  manifest  himself  to 
the  soul,  and  say — I  am  your  salvation.  These 
views  and  comforts  engaged  my  total  attention, 
and  I  expected  they  would  always  remam,  and 
even  daily  increase  ;  and  notwithstanding  a  disap- 
pointment in  that  expectation,  still,  the  recollection 
and  relish  of  those  first  exercises  of  faith,  of  hope, 
of  love,  of  joy,  and  peace,  have  never  been  lost. 
In  the  darkest  hours  which  have  since  succeeded, 
in  the  heaviest  trials,  and  greatest  discouragements, 
I  have  never  gone  to  my  blessed  Saviour  and  God 
as  to  a  stranger,  but  always  have  considered  him 
as  my  covenant  Head,  my  Lord,  my  Husband,  and 
Portion,  who  has  united  me  to  himself,  and  from 
whom,  I  am  assured,  nothing  shall  be  able  to  sepa- 
rate me.  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  I  am 
persuaded  thathe  is  able  to  keep,  and  will  keep,  that 
which  I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day. 

"  The  first  alarm,  respecting  a  change  in  my 
comfortable  frames,  was  occasioned  by  a  ser- 
mon I  one  morning  heard  the  celebrated  White- 
field  preach.  His  text  was  Ps.  xl.  I,  2,  3. — In 
the  introduction  he  said,  he  had  intended  to  preach 


EARLY   LIFE.  6S 

upon  another  subject,  but  this  passage  was  impress- 
ed with  such  power  upon  his  mind,  that  he  was 
constrained  to  take  it ;  and  I  believe,  sM  he,  there 
is  one  now  present  for  whom  God  designs  this  to  be 
a  word  in  season.  The  young  convert,  rejoicing  in 
hope,  ana  in  a  lively  frame,  expects  he  will  always 
proceed,  with  swelling  sails,  before  a  propitious  gale 
of  consolations  :  but  remember,  said  the  great 
preacher,  (and  I  thought  he  pointedly  and  solemn- 
ly addressed  me)  that  at  some  period  of  your  life 
you  will  come  into  a  situation  and  exercises,  which 
you  will  denominate  with  David,  a  horrible  pit  and 
miry  clay  ;  there  you  will  remain  until  your  patience 
is  severely  tried.  Yet  be  of  good  courage  :  the 
Lord  ivill  bring  you  out  with  triumphant  songs  of 
deliverance.  He  ivill  set  your  feet  upon  a  rock,  and 
establish  your  goings.  Your  restoration  will  be 
equal  to  your  first  joys.  Be  of  good  cheer.  Look 
unto  Jesus.  The  victory  is  sure.  From  that  hour, 
I  considered  this  word  intended  for  me,  and  expect- 
ed its  accomplishment.  I  knew  not  what  it  fully 
comprehended,  but  I  understood  it  in  part,  and 
was  persuaded  that  I  should  know  the  whole.  And 
in  the  progress  of  my  spiritual  warfare,  I  have 
experienced  it,  although  I  still  wait  for  its  highest 
fulfilment.  JNo  word  of  Scripture  has  been  more 
constantly,  for  many  years,  present  to  my  mind,  in- 
fluential to  my  heart,  or  oftener  upon  my  hps  in 


04  EARLV    LIFE. 

prayer,  while  patience  is  performing  its  perfect 
work." 

It  is  not  known  that  he  ever  beUeved  the  decla- 
ration to  be  fully  accomplished  in  his  own  experi- 
ence ;  but  it  had  proved  a  word  in  season  for  him. 
The  impression  which  it  made  upon  his  mmd,  at  the 
time  when  it  was  uttered  with  such  striking  em- 
phasis by  the  preacher,  was  deep  and  salutary.  It 
put  him  upon  his  guard,  and  kept  him  there  ;  and 
was  thus  probably  an  important  means,  in  the  hands 
of  the  Spirit,  of  preserving  him  to  the  end  of  his 
course,  from  any  very  palpable  declension  from  his 
first  love. 

The  state  of  his  health,  for  some  time  after  he 
had  retired  from  the  office  of  Mr.  Crannel,  was 
quite  alarmuig  to  himself,  and  to  his  friends.  He 
grew  weaker  every  day, — a  constant  pain  in  his 
breast,  with  more  or  less  fever,  excited  a  distress- 
ing apprehension  that  he  was  consumptive : — so 
unfavourable  altogether  were  the  symptoms  of  dis- 
ease, that  Httle  hope  could  be  entertained  that  his 
Ufe  would  be  prolonged  even  many  months  ;  but 
at  length,  in  or  near  the  spring  of  1765,  there  were 
pleasing  signs  of  liis  convalescence  ;  the  pain  in  his 
breast,  though  not  wholly  removed,  was  much  less 
severe  than   it  had  been ;  he  was  able  to  take 


EARLY  LIFE.  i)U 

daily  some  moderate  exercise  ;  and,  with  the  divine 
blessing  upon  this  and  other  means  used,  he  gained 
strength  fast,  and  was  soon  again  enjoying  a  good 
share  of  health. 

About  the  same  time,  there  was  an  occurrence 
that  made  an  indeUble  impression  upon  his  mind ; 
and,  as  it  showed  a  most  signal  interposition  of  Divine 
Providence  in  his  favour,  must  here  be  related. 
It  was  truly  a  remarkable  preservation  from  unseen, 
but  impending  destruction.;  and  he  must  be  blind, 
who  cannot  read  in  it  a  striking  exposition  of  the 
proverb,  ^  man's  heart  deviseth  his  way :  but  the 
Lord  directeth  his  steps.  A  young  friend  of  his, 
whose  health  as  well  as  his  own,  was  in  a  feeble 
state,  having  concluded  to  try  the  effect  of  a  voyage 
to  one  of  the  West  India  Islands,  proposed  that  he 
should  accompany  him :  and  some  circumstances 
concurring  to  render  the  proposal  very  agreeable 
at  the  moment,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  it. 
Nay,  he  was  so  delighted  with  the  opportunity  now 
presented  of  taking  a  trip  of  the  kind,  and  so  con- 
fident that  he  would  derive  great  benefit  from  it, 
that  he  decided  upon  the  matter  without  previously 
seeking  direction  of  the  Lord,  a  duty  which,  after 
he  became  pious,  he  seldom  omitted  upon  any  occa- 
sion.   It  was  understood  that  he  would  go;  he 

fully  intended  to  go ;  and,  as  it  was  expected  thathe 

9 


66  EARLY  LIFE. 

would  sail  soon,  his  kind  mother  provided  a  num- 
ber of  articles,  which  she  thought  he  would  need 
at  sea.  After  different  things  were  attended  to, 
however,  preparatory  to  his  departure,  to  the  sur- 
prise of  all  his  friends,  he  suddenly  gave  up  the 
voyage. — This  singular  step,  some  no  doubt  will 
imagine,  proceeded  from  timidity  ;  but  it  does  not 
appear,  from  his  own  account  of  it,  that  he  had  be- 
forehand apprehended  any  danger,  or  anticipated 
aught  but  pleasure,  and  a  restoration  of  his  health. 
He  could  assign  no  reason  for  it,  save  that  he  had 
lost  all  desire  to  go  : — he  accordingly  let  his  friend 
sail  without  him. 

When  the  voyage  was  nearly  completed,  two  of 
the  crew  made  an  attempt  one  night  to  seize  the 
vessel ;  and,  in  the  prosecution  of  their  diabolical 
design,  all  on  board,  except  a  little  boy,  perished 
by  their  hands.  After  perpetrating  the  horrible 
deed,  they  gave  themselves  up  to  intoxication,  and 
in  this  state,  while  in  sight  of  the  Island  of  St.  Tho- 
mas, it  so  happened,  providentially  for  their  speedy 
detection,  they  ordered  the  boy  to  row  them  ashore. 
He  did  so  ;  and  then,  as  soon  as  out  of  their 
power,  informed  against  them.  A  vigorous  search 
was  instantly  made  for 'the  wretches.  One  fled  to 
St.  Eustatia,  but  was  there  seized  and  broken  upon 
the  wheel.    The  other,  whose  name  was  Ander- 


EARLY  LIFE.  67 

son,  was  taken  in  St.  Thomas's  sent  back  for  trial 
to  New  York,  and  here  executed  "  upon  an  Island 
in  the  Bay,  near  the  city,  which,  from  that  circum- 
stance, has  ever  since  been  called,  Anderson^s^  or 
Gibbet  Island,^^ 

Had  Mr.  L.  accompanied  his  friend,  in  adher- 
ence to  his  first  determination,  speaking  after  the 
manner  of  men,  he  would  never  have  returned  ; — 
and  it  will  readily  be  supposed,  that  upon  hearing 
of  the  melancholy  event,  he  was  much  affected 
with  the  thought  of  his  own  wonderful  deliverance 
from  a  tragical  death.  He  saw,  in  the  preservation 
he  had  experienced,  the  protecting  hand  of  a  good 
God : — he  knew  that  the  Almighty  had  compassed 
him  with  favour  as  with  a  shield,  and  wrought  that 
change  in  his  inclination,  which  was  the  means  of 
saving  his  life  : — he  therefore  blessed  the  Lord^, 
who  had  thus  seasonably  interposed  to  redeem  his 
life  from  destruction. — It  is  a  circumstance  not 
altogether  unworthy  of  notice  perhaps,  that  the 
Great  Being,  who  determines  the  bounds  of  our 
habitation,  so  ordered  the  place  of  his  residence 
afterwards,  that,  for  a  great  many  years,  *'  Ander- 
son's, or  Gibbet  Island,"  was  frequently  before  his 
eyes  as  a  memento  of  the  singular  mercy  ; — and 
never  to  the  day  of  his  death,  did  he  forget  it,  or 
relate  it  to  his  friends,  without  connecting  with  the 


68  EARLY  LIFE. 

relation,  suitable    expressions  of    gratitude    and 
praise. 

"  Few  things  in  the  history  of  religion,"  says  a 
modem  writer,*  "  are  more  interesting  than  the 
commencement  and  progress  of  Christianity,  on  a 
young,  an  ardent,  and  a  highly  cultivated  mind.  It 
cannot  take  hold  on  such  a  mind  without  producing 
the  most  marked  and  important  results.  Its  adap- 
tation at  once  to  all  the  finest  feehngs  of  our  nature, 
and  to  the  most  powerful  of  its  intellectual  facul- 
ties, makes  it  capable  of  producing  all  that  is 
refined  in  moral  sensibility,  and  all  that  is  lofty  in 
enterprise.  It  presents  to  such  an  individual  a  new 
world,  teeming  with  objects  of  intense  interest, 
and  calling  forth  his  deepest  sympathy  and  his 
noblest  ambition.  It  conducts  into  scenes  of  pure 
and  ravishing  sweetness,  and  diffuses  over  the  spirit 
the  peace  of  God,  and  the  bliss  of  heaven.  It  pre- 
sents a  theatre,  not  for  display,  but  for  action  and 
suffering,  in  the  most  glorious  of  all  causes ;  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  men." 

It  has  been  said,  that  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law,  with  great  ardour  and  untiring  diligence, — that 
he  constantly  read,  and  thought,  and  wrote,  with  a 

*  Rev.  William  Orme. 


EARLY  LIFE.  60 

fixed  and  predominant  regard  to  the  honours  of  the 
world,  for  more  than  two  years,  or  until,  by  his  in- 
tense application,  he  was  brought  apparently  upon 
the  very  verge  of  the  grave.  After  his  conversion, 
this  profession,  however  captivating  once,  present- 
ed no  allurements.  It  was  divested  of  all  its  charms. 
He  had  no  relish  for  it : — not  only  so,  he  had  a 
strong  aversion  to  it,  and  finding  the  idea  of  pursu- 
ing it,  as  the  business  of  his  future  Kfe,  painful  to 
him,  though  he  said  nothing  immediately  upon  the 
subject,  to  any  of  his  friends,  he  determined  to 
abandon  it ; — at  least,  he  felt  a  strong  desire  to  turn 
his  attention  to  some  other,  that  would  be  more 
congenial  with  his  present  views  and  feelings. 
What  to  pursue  in  its  place,  he  had  not  yet  decided ; 
and  some  httle  time  elapsed,  before  he  was  relieved 
from  the  embarrassment,  which,  in  the  interesting 
state  of  his  mind  at  this  moment,  was  connected 
with  a  decision.  He  was  led,  at  length,  to  think  of 
devoting  himself  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel ; 
and  "  I  began  to  feel,"  he  says,  "  even  greater 
ardour  for  the  study  of  divinity,  than  I  had  before 
entertained  for  the  law ;  yet  here  difficulties,"  he 
adds,  "  which  seemed  insuperable,  immediately 
occurred.  My  health  was  still  feeble ;  the  pain  m 
my  breast  was  frequently  severe  ;  and  I  could 
scarcely  hope  that  I  should  be  even  equal  to  the  la- 
bours inseparable  from  the  ministry  of  theGospel." 


70  EARLY  LIFE. 

As  the  work  he  was  now  contemplating  is,  of 
all  works,  the  most  momentous  and  excellent  in 
which  a  mortal  can  engage,  and  which  no  one,  who 
has  a  just  impression  of  its  nature  and  consequen- 
ces, will  Ughtly  think  of  undertaking — the  soli- 
citude, humility,  and  pious  zeal,  wherewith  he 
sought  to  know  what  the  Lord  would  have  him  to 
do  in  reference  to  it,  the  reader  probably  would 
like  to  have  fully  exhibited. — The  narrative  cannot 
fail  of  being  perused  with  interest,  and  it  will  show 
clearly,  that  the  resolution  to  which  he  ultimately 
came,  was  the  result  of  a  solemn  conviction  of 
duty,  and  a  sincere  desire  to  promote  the  glory  of 
God. 

"  But,"  he  goes  on  to  say  m  continuation,  "  this 
was  only  a  secondary  objection :  my  principal  diffi- 
culty arose  from  another  source.  As  the  servant 
of  Christ,  I  did  not  dare  to  engage  in  any  profes- 
sion or  service  without  being  first  convinced  that  it 
was  agreeably  to  the  will  of  my  Divine  Master ;  nor 
could  I  form  any  determination  until  I  had  obtained 
his  permission.  The  duties  and  office  of  the 
ministry  of  the  Gospel  especially,  opened  with 
such  magnitude  and  high  responsibility  to  my  view, 
that  I  feared  I  was  wholly  unequal,  and  altogether 
unworthy  of  being  emplpyed  in  the  sanctuary.  I 
supposed  it  would  be  presumption  in  me  to  engage 


EARLY  LIFE.  71 

in  tliis  holy  work  ;  and  the  words,  Isa.  i.  12.  Who 
hath  required  this  at  your  hand  to  tread  my  courts, 
were  awful  and  impressive." 

"  Convinced  of  the  propriety  and  duty  of  acknow- 
ledging the  Lord  in  all  my  ways,  and  particularly 
in  a  step  of  such  importance,  and  believing,  that 
according  to  his  promise,  he  would  direct  my  paths, 
I  often  prayed  most  fervently  to  obtain  light  and 
direction  in  this  interesting  object.  Sometimes 
encouraged  to  hope  that  I  might  proceed,  and  again 
cast  down  and  desponding,  I  resolved  to  set  apart 
a  day,  with  fasting  and  prayer,  to  pour  out  my  heart 
before  the  Lord,  and  plead  for  his  instruction. 
Upon  this  solemn  occasion,  after  fervent  supplica- 
tions, reading  the  word,  and  serious  meditation,  I 
endeavoured  to  arrange  the  subject ;  and  the  better 
to  understand  it,  in  all  its  bearings,  1  committed 
to  writing  in  one  column,  all  the  arguments  in  favom*, 
and  in  another,  all  those  against  it.  These  I  ma- 
turely compared  and  disinterestedly  pondered. 
Especially,  I  endeavoured  most  accurately  to  ex- 
amine my  motives  and  ascertain  the  end  I  proposed, 
if  I  ever  should  enter  into  the  ministry.  I  found 
in  this  scrutiny,  and  was  sure  there  was  no  decep- 
tion, that  I  was  solely  prompted  by  a  zeal  to 
promote  the  glory  of  my  Divine  Redeemer — by 
an  ardent  love  for  the  souls  of  men,  and  a  desire  to 


72  EARLY  LIFE. 

bring  sinners,  by  preaching  the  Gospel,  to  the 
obedience  of  faith.  I  was  conscious  that  I  did  not 
"  desire  the  office  of  a  Bishop"  to  gratify  pride, 
indolence,  or  ambition,  nor  to  promote  my  own 
personal  advantage  and  profit,  for  I  knew  it  would 
be  a  sacrifice  of  my  secular  interests  and  prospects ; 
but  that  in  sincerity,  and  before  God,  it  was  to  la- 
bour in  his  church ;  it  was  to  advance  the  cause  of 
truth  and  holiness,  and  in  this  service  to  express 
my  gratitude  for  redeeming  love." 

"  But  such  was  my  fear  of  rushing  inconsiderately 
and  impiously  into  this  solemn  work,  that  I  several 
times  repeated  these  devotional  exercises,  and  again 
set  apart  days  for  that  purpose  ;  still  mider  the  im- 
pression of  those  awful  words, — Who  hath  required 
this  at  your  hand,  to  tread  my  courts? — Nor  did  I 
dare  to  come  to  any  conclusion,  nor  would  1  ever 
have  commenced  the  study  of  theology,  unless  it 
had  pleased  the  Lord  to  hear  my  poor  prayers,  and 
convince  me  it  was  consistent  with  his  holy  will, 
that  I  should  devote  myself  to  this  arduous  service. 

"  I  did  not  expect  or  desire  any  immediate  re- 
velation, nor  did  I  pray  for  any  extraordinary  mani- 
festation. I  only  wished  for  a  removal  of  my  doubts 
and  fears  ;  for  a  confirmation  of  my  motives  and 


EARLY  LIFE.  73 

desires,  and,  in  this  way,  to  obtain  a  convincing  and 
comfortable  token  of  the  divine  approbation.  Wlien- 
ever  I  realized  the  voice  of  the  Lord  saying,  Whom 
shall  I  send,  and  who  will  go  for  us  7  the  reply  of  my 
soul  was  : — here  am  /,  send  me.  Yet  still  I  hesita- 
ted to  conclude  that  he  would  send  me,  or  expect 
he  would  honour  me  with  his  message.  After 
some  weeks  spent  in  these  exercises,  the  result, 
was,  that  my  doubts  and  fears  were  all  entirely  re- 
moved, and  I  began  humbly  to  hope  and  be  persua- 
ded, that  I  not  only  might  commence  in  the  study, 
but  actually  must  proceed.  Every  other  door  was 
shut  against  me,  while  a  sincere  desire  for  this 
work,  from  honest  and  sanctified  principles,  prevail- 
ed ;  and  I  could  not  avoid  considering  all  this  as  a 
divine  response — as  a  gracious  word  of  commis- 
sion ; — and  he  said  go. — ^From  that  hour,  I  never 
doubted  of  my  duty,  but  have  had  incontestable  and 
continual  proofs,  that  my  Lord  had  called  me  to  the 
ministry,  and  would  in  mercy  employ  me  in  liis  vine- 
yard. My  only  remaining  burthen  now  was,  to 
obtain  the  spirit  of  that  station ;  to  be  furnished  with 
special  talents  ;  to  be  instructed  in  the  truth ;  and 
to  be  rendered  faithful," 

There  can  be  no  question,  when,  as  the  eff'ect  of 
that  regenerating  grace,  which  he  had  so  power- 
fully experienced  in  his  soul  but  a  little  before,  he 

10 


74  EAKLY   LIFE. 

now  relinquished  a  favourite  pursuit, — a  pursuit 
that  promised  the  most  brilKant  temporal  advanta- 
ges ; — and,  after  much  serious  and  severe  self-exa- 
mination ;  after  reading,  and  meditating,  and  fasting, 
and  praying,  again  and  again,  with  a  view  to  obtain 
eounsel  of  the  Lord,  upon  the  subject  of  his  pre- 
sent inquiry, — after  carefully  arranging  and  weigh- 
ing the  arguments  for  and  against  it,  he  arrived  at 
the  full  conviction  that  a  necessity  was  laid  upon 
him  to  preach  the  Gospel, — there  can  be  no  ques- 
tion, it  is  repeated,  with  any  candid  and  reflecting 
person,  that  he  was  indeed  called  of  God  to  become 
an  ambassador  of  the  Prince  of  Peace.  And,  it 
is  scarce  possible  to  image  to  one's  self  a  more  in^ 
teresting  object  than  a  youth,  in  the  nineteenth 
y-ear  of  his  age,  shut  up  for  hours  together  in 
a  retired  room,  that  no  eye  might  see,  and  no  ear 
iiear  him  but  God's,— there,  upon  his  bended 
knees,  with  all  humility  and  fervour  of  spirit,  seek- 
ing to  learn  of  Him,  with  whom  is  the  residue  of 
the  Spirit,  whether  or  not  he  shall  go  forward  to 
proclaim  the  precious  tidings  of  salvation  to  a  dy- 
ing world,— How  shockingly  impious,  in  the  eyes 
of  all  genuine  Christians,  and  how  contemptible 
ill  the  eyes  even  of  the  world,  if  contrasted  with 
his,  must  be  the  conduct  of  those,  who,  without 
giving  any  evidence  of  piety,  assume  the  ministe- 
rial office  !  To  authorize  its  assumption,  the  pos= 


early'  LIFE.  75 

session  of  grace,  a  certain  degree  of  intellectual 
cultivation,  an  acquaintance  with  the  system  of  re»" 
vealed  truth,  and  the  approbation  of  the  Church, 
duly  expressed,  are  prerequisites,  which  common 
sense  pronounces  indispensable  ;  but,  in  addition  to 
these  tilings,  it  is  necessary  that  there  be  such  a 
drawing  of  his  heart  to  the  work,  for  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  such  a  concur^ 
rence  of  outward  providences,  in  his  case,  as  will 
show  satisfactorily  to  the  individual  proposing  to 
undertake  it,  the  approbation  of  God. — There  are 
many  great  and  good  men  in  the  church,  in  whose 
conversion  and  call  to  the  ministry,  as  far  as  known, 
nothing  very  striking  or  remarkable  can,  perhaps, 
be  discovered  ;  yet,  it  is  a  fact,  and  the  reader 
may  possibly  be  able  to  refer  to  instances  in  verifi- 
cation of  the  fact,  which  have  come  within  his  own 
observation,  that,  when  a  person  is  in  a  manner, 
somewhat  extraordinary,  brought  to  a  knowledge  of 
the  truth,  and  is  suddenly  diverted  from  a  business 
which  he  had  designed  to  pursue,  and  is  constramed, 
contrary  to  antecedent  views  and  calculations,  to 
devote  himself  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  he  is 
subsequently  distinguished,  in  a  pre-eminent  de- 
gree, by  the  divine  blessing  upon  his  labours.  To 
the  writer,  this  appears  to  be  an  ordinary  procedure 
of  Providence  ;  and  the  sequel  will  show,  that  the 
Lord  was  preparing  Mr.  Livingston  for  a  grejft 


7(S  EARLY  UFE. 

work,  and  made  him,  through  a  long  hfe,  a  burning 
and  shining  light  in  the  Church. 

The  important  question  being  now  solved  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  own  mind,  he  deemed  it  proper 
at  once  to  acquamt  his  father  with  the  change  that 
had  taken  place  in  his  views.  For  reasons,  which 
it  is  unnecessary  to  relate,  he  was  apprehensive 
that  he  would  not  readily  be  permitted  to  quit  the 
study  of  law;  buttheresult  of  the  disclosure  of  his 
wishes  was  very  different  from  what  he  had  antici- 
pated, and  thrilled  his  heart  with  dehght.  His 
father  promptly  and  cheerfully  consented  to  his 
commencing  the  study  of  theology ;  and,  for  his 
encouragement,  added  a  promise  of  such  pecuniary 
assistance,  as  he  might  need  in  the  prosecution  of 
the  good  design. 


CHAPTER  m. 


THE  STATE  OF  THE  REFORMED    DUTCH    CHURCH  IN 
NORTH  AMERICA,  ABOUT  THE  YEAR  1765, 

The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  this  country,  at 
the  time  that  Mr.  Livingston  resolved  to  seek  pre- 
paration for  the  service  of  the  sanctuary,  was  in  a 
very  unhappy  and  critical  state.  Before  proceeding 
further  in  the  account  of  his  hfe,  that  some  things 
to  be  stated  in  it,  may  be  fully  understood  ;  that  his 
disinterested  and  useful  offices  in  behalf  of  this 
church,  which  will  be  described  in  course,  may  be 
seen  in  a  proper  light,  the  peculiar  difficulties  then 
existing,  so  inimical  to  her  peace  and  prosperity, 

must  be  unfolded. 

• 

It  will  be  necessary  to  take  a  cursory  retrospect 
of  the  Church  from  her  rise,  in  order  fairly  to  exhibit 
the  nature  and  influence  of  these  difficulties. 

Kova  Belgia^  or  J^ew  JYetherland^  as  the  part 
of  America  claimed  or  settled  by  the  Dutch  was 
originally  called,  comprehended  a  considerable 
extent  of  country.     The  earliest  settlements  they 


78  THE   CHURCH. 

made,  however,  of  any  consequence,  were  at  the 
head  of  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  river,  and  on  the 
south-west  point  of  the  island  Manhattans,  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  where  they  established  them- 
selves in  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

The  first  emigrants  were  men  of  a  bold,  enter- 
prising turn,  whose  chief  motive  for  leaving  their 
native  land  was,  no  doubt,  the  acquisition  of  wealth. 
They  came  under  a  patent  from  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses the  lords  States  General  of  the  United  Neth- 
erlands, and  a  few  years  after  (in  1621)  were  placed 
under  the  care  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company, 
to  whom  the  States  General,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  the  settlement  of  a  colony  here,  had  then 
made  a  grant  of  the  country. 

Having  been  educated  within  the  pale  of  the  na- 
tional Reformed  Church,  they  brought  with  them  a 
strong  attachment  to  its  doctrines,  worship,  and 
government ;  and,  however  deeply  interested  they 
were  in  secular  pursuits,  it  is  certain,  that  very  soon 
after  their  arrival,  they  took  measures  for  enjoying 
and  preserving  among  them,  in  its  purity,  the  reli- 
gion of  their  fathers. 

The  authentic  records  of  the  Church  of  N^w- 
York  commence  with  the  year  1639  ;  but  there  is 


THE    CHURCH.  79 

some  reason  to  believe  that  it  was  organized  as 
early  as  1619.* — Whether  or  not,  in  the  infancy  of 
this  settlement,  a  house  was  built  expressly  for  the 
celebration  of  public  worship,  the  writer  is  not 
informed.  There  was  one  erected,  in  1642,  at  the 
south  end  of  Fort  Amsterdam,  and  another,  before 
1664,  on  the  farm  (now  called  the  Bowery)  of 
Governor  Stuyvesant, — which  was  built  at  the 
Governor's  own  expense,  and  in  which  his  remains 
were  afterwards  interred.! 

*Among  the  manuscripts  of  Dr.  Livingston,  there  is  one  con- 
taining a  few  observations  upon  the  Dutch   Church,  in  which  he 

says,  "  documents  of  a private  nature  render  it  certain  that  a 

considerable  church  was  organizedin  that  city,  as  early  as  1619." 
— In  another,  he  affirms,  that  a  document  "  is  still  extant,  con- 
taining the  names  of  members,  in  full  communion,  of  the  Church 
of  New-York,  dated  1622." 

I  Having  noticed  above,  the  first  Dutch  Churches  in  New- 
York,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  present  here,  a  description  of  those 
in  use  in  the  year  1756. 

Judge  Smith,  who  wrote  his  History  of  New-York  about  that, 
time,  says, — "There  are  still  two  churches,  in  which  religious  wor- 
ship is  performed  in  that  language.  The  old  building,"  (in 
Garden  Street,)  "  is  of  stone,  and  ill  built,  ornamented  within  by 
a  small  organ  loft  and  brass  branches.  The  new  Church," 
('what  is  now  called  the  Middle  Church)  "  is  a  high,  heavy  edifice, 
has  a  very  extensive  area,  and  was  completed  in  1729.  It  has 
no  galleries,  and  yet  will  perhaps  contain  a  thousand  or  twelve 


80  THE   CHURCH. 

The  first  minister  of  New- York  was  the  Rev. 
Everadus  Bogardus  ;  and,  as  he  was  succeeded  by 
another  before  the  Dutch  Government  ceased  in 
the  colony,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  either 
came  over  with,  or  soon  followed,  the  first  emi- 
grants.* 

The  precise  time  when  a  church  was  formed  at 
Albany,  or  who  was  the  first  minister  there,  cannot 
now  be  ascertained  ;  but  it  scarcely  admits  of  a 
question  that  the  inhabitants  of  that  place,  almost 
from  the  moment  of  its  occupancy,  enjoyed  the 
regular  ministrations  of  the  Gospel  if  and  nothing 

hundred  auditors.  The  steeple  of  this  Church  affords  a  most 
beautiful  prospect,  both  of  the  city  beneath,  and  the  surrounding 
country." 

*  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  Megapolensis.  Sa- 
muel Megapolensis  has  also  been  represented  as  one  of  the 
ministers  of  this  Church  ;  but  in  a  letter  of  Gov.  Stuyvesant, 
addressed  to  Col.  Nichols,  at  the  time  of  the  surrender  of  the 
Colony  to  Great  Britain,  upon  which  occasion  he  acted  as  one 
of  the  Governor's  deputies,  the  only  title  given  him,  is  that 
of  "  Doctor  of  Physic."— See  Smith's  Hist,  page  42.— The 
ministers  following  in  succession  until  the  year  1693,  were  the 
Rev  .Messrs.  Samuel  Dresius,  William  Van  Nieuenhuysen,  and 
Henry  Solyns. 

t  In  one  of  the  Historical  Sketches  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Chvu-ch,  published  in  the  Christain's  Magazine,  the  author  says. 


THE    CHURCH.  81 

can  be  more  evident  than  that,  prior  to  the  surren- 
der of  the  colony  to  the  government  of  Great  Britain, 
Churches  were  estabhshed  in  several  other  parts 
of  New  Netherlands.* 

These  facts  show,  indisputably,  that  the  original 
colonists  were,  in  general,  men  of  great  moral 
worth,  who  did  not,  upon  being  transferred  to  a 
new  and  distant  country,  or  when  far  removed  from 
the  notice  of  pious  friends,  cast  off  the  fear  of  God^, 
and  abandon  themselves  to  licentious  habits  of  Kfe  ; 
but,  sensible  of  the  importance  of  an  earty,  public 
observance  of  the  worship  of  God,  and  cherishing 
a  high  regard  for  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation, 
as  they  had  been  taught  them  in  Holland,  at  once 
so  constituted  themselves  in  a  religious,  as  well  as 
civil  respect,  as  was  best  calculated  to  preserve 


"  The  Church  at  New- York  seems  to  have  been  first  organi- 
zed ;" — but,  in  the  manuscript  of  Dr.  Livingston,  before  referred 
to,  speaking  of  the  Albany  settlement,  he  observes,  "  It  is  very 
certain  they  had  ministers  there  as  early,  if  not  before,  any  were 
at  New- York." 

*  At  Flatbush,  New  Utrecht,  Flatlands  (then  New  Amersfort}, 
andEsopus.  Between  the  year  1664  and  1693,  a  Church  was 
formed  in  the  City  of  Schenectady  ;  another  on  Staten  Island : 
three  or  four  in  different  towns  on  the  Hudson  ;  two  or  three 
more  on  Long  Island ;  and  several  in  Ncw-Jersev. — Chrin.  Ma^ , 

11 


82  THE   CHURCH. 

them  from  degeneracy,  and  to  promote  both  their 
temporal  and  spiritual  welfare.  It  was,  in  their 
estimation,  a  measure  of  no  little  consequence  to 
the  best  interests  of  the  colony,  to  settle  among 
them,  as  soon  as  possible,  pious  and  faithful  minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel,  who  should  instruct  them  and 
their  children  in  divine  things,  and  maintain  among 
them  all  the  ordinances  which  appertain  to  the 
service  of  God.  And  whether  accompanied  or  not 
in  their  emigration  by  those  of  their  own  choice, 
subsequent  circumstances  soon  rendered  it  neces- 
sary for  them  to  depend  altogether  for  a  supply  of 
such  meUf  upon  the  choice  of  others.  In  these 
circumstances,  as  they  had  no  connexion  with  any 
particular  Classis  in  the  mother  country,  they  very 
naturally  availed  themselves  of  their  connexion 
with  the  West  India  Company,  whose  influence 
was  hkely  to  obtain  for  them  suitable  pastors,  or 
at  least  to  secure  them  against  impositions :  and  this 
Company,  the  greater  part  of  whose  Directors 
resided  in  Amsterdam,  as  naturally,  whenever  ap~ 
plications  for  clerical  supplies  were  received  fi'om 
the  colony,  availed  itself  in  attempting  a  compli- 
ance of  the  advice  and  assistance  of  the  Classis  of 
that  city.  This  way  of  reUeving  the  exigencies  of 
the  churches  here,  the  best,  no  doubt,  if  not  the 
only  one  practicable  at  the  time,  ultimately  reduced 
ihem  to  a  state  of  ecclesiastical  vassalage,  of  no 


THE  CHURCH.  §3 

short  duration,  and  fraught  with  the  most  serious 
evils.  Uniformly  receiving  their  ministers  from 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  these  Churches,  though 
not  at  first  formally  connected  with  it,  were  very 
easily  brought  to  consider  themselves  subject  to  its 
authority.  Gratitude  for  services  rendered  by  the 
Classis,  independent  of  any  influence  on  the  part 
of  their  ministers  to  this  end,  would  dispose  them 
respectfully  to  submit  to  its  oversight  and  controul ; 
and  the  result  was  in  the  lapse  of  time,  that,  either 
from  gratitude  or  ministerial  influence,  or  both  com- 
bined, together  with  the  necessities  of  their  situation, 
submission  was  yielded  as  a  matter  of  solemn  duty. 
That  it  was  the  interest  of  the  ministers  to  inculcate 
and  endeavour  to  secure  such  submission,  must  be 
obvious  ;  but  it  seems  strange,  that  the  Classis 
encouraged  it  after  a  number  had  been  sent  over, 
sufficient  of  themselves  with  their  several  congre- 
gations to  be  formed  into  a  Classis. — It  seems 
strange,  that  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  were  willing 
to  retain  any  responsibility  in  relation  to  men, 
whose  moral  and  ministerial  conduct  they  could  not 
inspect,  or  that  they  did  not  take  measures,  as  soon 
as  they  were  warranted  by  cuxumstances,  with  the 
Synod  of  North  Holland,  to  have  a  Colonial  Classis 
constituted.  The  formation  of  such  a  Classis,  sub- 
ordinate to  the  Synod,  would  certainly  have  reliev- 
ed them  of  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  and  might,  in 
reason,  have  been  judged  necessary  to  the  peace 


84  THE  CHURCH. 

and  welfare  of  the  colonial  Churches.  And  it  seems 
yet  more  strange,  that  these  Churches,  suffering  as 
they  did,  many  inconveniences  from  their  servile 
dependence  upon  a  foreign  judicatory,  were  not 
prompted,  at  a  very  early  day,  to  apply  for  a  local 
organization  with  classical  powers.  But  this  expe- 
dient was  not  thought  of,  and  for  more  than  a  century, 
they  continued  to  receive  their  supplies  from  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  to  refer  their  controversies 
to  it  for  decision,  and  implicitly  to  obey  all  its 
commands.  And  that  Classis,  having  long  had  the 
exclusive  management  of  these  foreign  concerns, 
with  the  approbation  or  tacit  consent  of  the  other 
judicatories  in  the  Netherlands,  or  without  encoun- 
tering any  interference,  was  at  last  supposed  to 
possess  a  sort  of  paramount  authority.  It  acquired 
unlimited  power  over  its  American  charge.  It  was 
invested  with  an  imaginary  infalUbility,  to  which 
almost  the  same  respect  was  paid  that  Catholics  are 
wont  to  show  to  that  imputed  to  his  Holiness  the 
Pope.  The  opinion  obtained  with  some,  that  it 
was  the  only  legitimate  source  of  ministerial  autho- 
rity— that  no  ordination  was  vaUd,  except  it  had 
been  performed,  or  approved,  by  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam. 

An  instance  of  this  kind  of  extravagance  occui'- 
red  in  Albany,  in  1675.  It  is  thus  related  : — "  In  the 
year  1675,  Nicholas  Renslaer,  a  Dutch  Clergy- 


THE    CHURCH.  85 

man,  arrived  here.  He  claimed  the  manor  of 
Renslaer  Wyck,  and  was  recommended  by  the 
duke  (of  York,)  to  Sir  Edmond  Andross,  for  a 
living  in  one  of  the  churches  at  New- York  or  Alba- 
ny, probably  to  serve  the  Popish  cause. — Niewen- 
hyt,  minister  of  the.  Church  at  Albany,  disputed  his 
right  to  administer  the  sacraments,  because  he  had 
received  an  Episcopal  ordination,  and  was  not  ap- 
proved by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  to  which  the 
Dutch  Churches  here  hold  themselves  subordi- 
nate."* The  controversy  excited  a  good  deal  of 
interest  at  the  time,  and  in  the  end,  was  referred  to 
the  determination  of  the  Consistory  of  the  Dutch 
Church  at  Albany. — Opposition  to  the  settlement 
of  Renslaer,  under  the  suspicions  entertained  of 
his  character  and  designs,  was  perfectly  justifiable 
upon  the  ground  of  those  suspicions,  but  not  upon 
that  of  the  supposed  mvahdity  of  his  ordination. 
This,  if  not  thought  to  be  derived  from  quite  so 
good  a  source  as  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam — and 
such  an  opinion^^ould  probably  find  some  advo- 
cates at  the  present  day, — provided  he  showed  a 
willingness  to  adopt  the  standards  of  the  Church, 
and  to  put  himself  under  its  government,  could  not 
fairly  be  viewed  as  barring  his  reception ;  much 
less,  could  it  be  viewed  as  m  itself  wholly  ineffica- 

*  See  Smith's  History,  page  63. 


86  THE    CHURCH. 

cious,  or  conferring  no  right  to  administer  sealing 
ordinances.  The  claim,  however,  which  Niewen- 
hyt,*  in  his  zeal,  set  up  in  favour  of  the  exclusive 
validity  of  Holland  ordination,  was  not  more 
chimerical  and  absurd  than  that  which  in  modem 
times  has  been  advanced,  and  somewhat  strenuous- 
ly maintained,  in  favour  of  the  exclusive  validity  of 
Episcopal  ordination  ;  and  though  urged,  on  the 
occasion,  in  contravention  of  a  suspected  nefarious 
design,  the  fact  that  it  was  urged,  clearly  evinces 
the  influence  which  it  was  believed  the  argument 
would  have  ;  and  hence,  may  be  seen  the  ascen- 
dency then  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  in  the 
Dutch  Churches,  in  this  country.  This  ascendency 
continued  unimpaired,  and  without  even  the  sem- 
blance of  opposition,  until  the  year  1737,  when,  for 
the  first  time,  an  attempt  was  made  to  form  a  local 
convention,  to  have  some  general  superintendence 
of  ecclesiastical  concerns. — A  few  ministersf  met  in 
-  _ 

*  The  writer  has  no  means  of  ascertaining,  though  it  would 
gratify  him  to  be  able  to  present,  the  names  of  the  ministers  who 
preceded  Mr.  Niewenhyt  in  the  Church  at  Albany.  In  the  Chris- 
tian's Magazine,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  G.  Schaats  and  Godefridus 
Dallius,  are  represented  to  have  served  the  same  Church  prior  to 
the  year  1693. 

t  The  Rev.  G.  Dubois  of  the  city  of  New  York  ;  the  Rev.  G. 
Haeghoorf,  of  Second  River  ;  the  Rev.  B.  Freeman,  of  Long 


THE  CHURCH.  87 

the  city  of  New- York,  and  agreed  upon  the  plan 
of  a  Coetus,  or  an  assembly  of  ministers  and  elders, 
to  be  subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

The  plan  was  submitted  to  the  consideration  of 
the  churches ;  and  the  following  year,  at  a  meeting 
of  ministers  and  elders  *  held  in  the  same  city,  it 

Island ;  the  Rev.  C.  Van  Santvoort,  of  Staten  Island ;  and  the 
Rev.  A.  Curtenius,  of  Hackensack.  C.  M. 

*  Present — The  Rev.  Mr.  Dubois,  with  two  elders,  Anthony 
Rutgers  and  Abraham  Lefferts ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Freeman,  with  two 
elders,  Peter  Nevius  and  Dirk  Brinkerhoof ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van 
Santvoort,  with  one  elder,  Goosen  Adriance  ;  the  Rev,  Mr. 
Haeghoort,  with  one  elder,  F.  Van  Dyck  ;t  he  Rev.  Mr.  Curtenius, 
with  one  elder, — Zabriskie ;  the  Rev.  R.  Erickson  of  Nauwesink, 
with  one  elder,  J.  Zutveen ;  the  Rev.  J.  Bohm,  of  Philadelphia, 
with  one  elder, — Snyder  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Schuyler,  of  Schoharie, 
with  one  elder — Spies ;  and  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen  of  Rari- 
tan,  with  an  elder,  H.  Fisher.  The  names  of  the  persons  constitu- 
ting this  meeting  are  taken  from  the  Chris.  Mag.  in  which  the  last- 
mentioned  clergyman  is  thus  spoken  of  in  a  note  : — "  He  was  a 
great  blessing  to  the  Dutch  Church  in  America.  He  came  over 
from  Holland  in  the  year  1720,  and  settled  on  the  Raritan.  He 
was  an  able,  evangelical,  and  eminently  successful  preacher.  He 
left  five  sons,  all  ministers  ;  and  two  daughters,  married  to 
ministers." — To  this,  may  be  added  the  testimony  of  that  eminent 
.servant  of  Christ,  the  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennent,  respecting  Mr. 
Frelinghuysen.  In  a  letter  to  Mr,  Prince,  of  Boston,  he  says, 
'■  The  labours  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  a  Dutch  minister,  were  much 


88  THE   CHURCH. 

was  formally  approved.  A  copy  of  it  was  at  once 
forwarded  to  Holland,  for  the  approbation  of  the 
Classis  ; — and  though  perfectly  inoffensive  in  all  its 
features, — not  intended  to  weaken,  in  the  lea|J,  the 
authority  of  the  Classis  in  its  operation,  but  merely 
to  afford  the  brethren  opportunities  of  giving  and 
receiving  advice,  in  cases  of  difficulty,  and  of  cul- 
tivating a  good  understanding  with  each  other, — it 
seems  to  have  been  received  with  some  little  pre- 
sentiment of  its  future  important  results. — Whether 
such  was  the  case  or  not,  no  answer  was  returned 
to  the  communication  for  the  space  of  eight  or  nine 
years. — When  the  answer  came,  however,  it  was  a 
gratifying  one  to  the  friends  of  the  plan  ; — and 
accordingly,  in  the  fall  of  1747,  the  Coetus  was  con- 
stituted. 


blessed  to  the  people  of  Nev  Brunswick,  and  places  adjacent, 
especially  about  the  time  of  his  coming  among  them.  When  I 
came  there,  which  was  about  seven  years  after,  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  much  of  the  fruits  of  his  ministry  :  divers  of  his  hearers, 
with  whom  I  had  opportunity  of  conversing,  appeared  to  be  con- 
verted persons.,  by  their  soundness  in  principle,  Christian  experi- 
ence, and  pious  practice :  and  these  persons  declared  that  his 
ministrations  were  the  means  thereof.  This,  together  with  a  kind 
letter  which  he  sent  me,  respecting  the  necessity  of  dividing  the 
word  aright,  and  giving  to  every  man  his  portion  in  due  season, 
through  the  divine  blessing,  excited  me  to  greater  earnestness  in 
ministerial  labours." — Prince's  Chris.  Hist. 


TtlE  CHURCH.  89 

The  body  now  formed,  it  will  be  recollected, 
had  no  power  of  ordination.  Ordination  was  indeed 
sometimes  performed  here,  but  not  independently 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, — their  permission 
to  perform  it,  in  any  case,  must  first  be  obtained. 
The  Costus  was  not  competent  to  proceed,  upon  its 
own  motion,  to  an  act  of  the  kind  ;  and  for  it  to  have 
done  so,  would  have  been  considered  a  usurpation 
of  power,  or  high  rebellion  against  the  authority 
of  the  Mother  Church.  The  Coetus,  in  fact,  pos- 
sessed none  of  the  rights  or  powers  which  essentially 
belong  to  a  Classis  ;  and  it  was  not  long,  therefore^ 
before  many  who  looked  with  the  deepest  solici- 
tude at  the  wants  of  the  Church,  and  faithfully 
consulted  her  best  interests,  became  convinced  of 
the  necessity  of  having  a  more  efficient  judicatory. 
This  conviction  grew  stronger  daily,  and,  in  the 
end,  induced  a  proposition  to  form  a  regular  Classis. 
The  proposition  was  first  made  in  Coetus,  in  1753. 
It  gave  rise  naturally  to  considerable  discussion, 
but  was  approved ;  and  the  next  year,  due  measures 
were  taken  to  ascertain  the  sense  of  the  different 
Churches  upon  the  subject. 

The  historian,  whose  words  have  been  more  than 
once  cited,  who  wrote  about  the  time  of  these 
occurrences,  and  upon  the  spot,  speaking  of  the 
Low  Dutch  congregations,  says,—''  With  respect 


90  THE  CHURCH. 

to  government,  they  are,  in  principle,  presbyterians, 
but  yet  hold  themselves  in  subordination  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  who  sometimes  permit,  and 
at  other  times  refuse  them  the  powers  of  ordination. 
Some  of  their  ministers  consider  such  a  subjection 
as  anti-constitutional ;  and  hence,  in  several  of  their 
late  annual  conventions,  at  New  York,  called  the 
Coetus,  some  debates  have  arisen  among  them,  the 
majority  being  inclined  to  erect  a  Classis,  or  eccle- 
siastical judicatory,  here,  for  the  government  of  their 
Churches.  Those  of  their  ministers,  who  are  natives 
of  Europe,  are,  in  general,  averse  to  the  project. 
The  expense  attending  the  ordination  of  their  can- 
didates, in  Holland,  and  the  reference  of  their  dis- 
putes to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  is  very  consi- 
derable ;  and  with  what  consequences  the  interrup- 
tion of  their  correspondence  with  the  European 
Dutch  would  be  attended,  in  case  of  a  war,  well 
deserves  their  consideration."* 

Reasons,  other  than  those  enumerated  by  this 
author,  had  their  influence  in  favour  of  the  estabhsh- 
ment  of  an  independent  Classis.  It  was  not  a  Uttle 
mortifying  to  several  friends  of  the  Church,  that 
congregations  should  still  be  compelled  to  send 
to  Holland  for  ministers,  when  the  few  who  had 

*  Smith's  Hist,  page  292. 


THE  CHURCH.  91 

been  ordained  here,  were  found  to  be  quite  as 
acceptable,  and  quite  as  useful,  as  were  their  Euro- 
pean brethren,  and  when  others,  of  undoubted 
piety  and  sufficient  talents,  stood  ready  to  become 
candidates  for  the  ministry,  as  soon  as  the  way 
should  be  fairly  opened  to  a  domestic  ordina- 
tion. Besides,  the  foreign  Classis,  not  knowing 
exactly  the  character  and  circumstances  of  every 
vacancy,  was  not  always  the  most  happy  in  the 
selection  of  a  supply,  nor,  indeed,  always  the  most 
promptly  attentive  to  a  request  for  one.  It  often 
happened  that,  after  the  transmission  of  a  call,  a 
vacancy  remained  for  years  without  the  regular 
ministrations  of  the  Gospel.  The  proposal  now 
under^consideration,  w^as,  therefore,  very  popular 
in  many  parts  of  the  Church.  The  idea  of  throwing 
off  a  yoke,  which  both  they  and  their  fathers  had 
long  been  unable  to  bear,  and  of  governing  them- 
selves, was  no  sooner  suggested  than  it  suddenly 
spread,  and  arrayed  in  the  support  of  itself,  a  num- 
ber of  congregations  and  of  ministers,  both  Euro- 
pean and  native,  who  cherished  a  proper  sense  of 
their  own  rights,  and  a  disposition  to  promote,  at 
all  hazards,  the  welfare  of  the  Church. 

The  measures  pursued  to  carry  this  new  plan 
into  operation,  and  the  patronage  it  received, 
alarmed  the  adherents  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam-, 


\)2  THE  CHURCH. 

and  they  speedily  commenced  a  course  of  the  most 
determined  and  active  opposition. 

They  met  first  in  1755  ;  and,  to  be  distinguished 
from  the  friends  of  an  independent  Classis,  who 
retained  the  old  name  of  Ccetus,  they  called 
themselves  Conferentie.* 

In  point  of  numerical  strength,  the  parties  were 
about  equal  to  each  other  :  in  other  respects,  there 
was  a  marked  difference  between  them, — the  former 
excelling  in  "practical  preaching,  zeal  and  indus- 
try,"— the  latter  having  the  greatest  share  of  learn- 
ing. The  two  bodies,  now  completely  organized 
and  prepared  for  war,  took  their  stand  against  each 
other,  with  evidences  of  resolution  and  feeling, 
which  foreboded  a  long,  obstinate,  and  dreadful 
conflict ;  and  such,  in  fact,  it  proved.  "  The  peace 
of  the  Churches  was  destroyed.  Not  only  neigh- 
bouring ministers  and  congregations  were  at  vari- 
ance ;  but,  in  many  places,  the  same  congregation 
was  divided  ;  and  in  those  instances  in  which  the 
numbers,  or  the  influential  characters  on  different 
sides,  were  nearly  equal,  the  consequences  became 
very  deplorable.  Houses  of  worship  were  locked 
by  one  part  of  the  congregation  against  the  other. 

*  The  ministers  of  this  party  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Haeghoort, 
Curtenius,  Ritzema,  De  Ronde,  Van  Der  Linde,  Schuyler,  Van 
Sinderin,  Ruhel,  Freyenmoet,  Kock,  Kern  and^ysdyck. 


THE  CHURCH.  93 

Tumults  on  the  Lord's  day,  at  the  doors  of  the 
Churches,  were  frequent.  Quarrels  respecting  the 
services,  and  the  contending  claims  of  different 
ministers  and  people,  often  took  place.  Preachers 
were  sometimes  assaulted  in  the  pulpits,  and  public 
worship  either  disturbed  or  terminated  by  violence. 
In  these  attacks  the  Conferentie  party  were  consi- 
dered as  the  most  vehement  and  outrageous.  But, 
onboth  sides,  a  furious  and  intemperate  zeal  prompt- 
ed many  to  excesses,  which  were  a  disgrace  to  the 
Christian  name,  and  threatened  to  bring  into  con- 
tempt that  cause  which  both  professed  to  be  desi- 
rous of  supporting,"* 

For  about  fifteen  years,  this  unhappy  controversy 
was  maintained  with  all  the  virulence  of  party  spirit, 
producing,  in  many  places,  the  most  disastrous 
effects.  "  The  more  moderate  and  prudent  mem- 
bers of  both  parties,  were  gready  grieved  to  find 
matters  carried  to  such  extremes.  They  per- 
ceived the  mischief  which  this  violence  was  daily 
producing,  and  foresaw  the  ruin  to  their  Church 
which  was  impending  ;  but  were  at  a  loss  for  an 
adequate  remedy.  To  allay  the  bitterness  of 
prejudices,  which  had  been  cherished  for  many 
years,  and  had  become  deeply  inveterate  ;  to  heal 


*  Christ.  Maof. 


94  THE  CHURCH. 

a  breach  which  was  now  so  wide,  and  was  daily 
growing  wider  and  more  unmanageable,  required  a 
combination  of  concurring  causes,  which  were  not 
easily  produced  nor  brought  into  action.  Each 
party  tenaciously  held  its  own  principles,  and  refu- 
sed to  yield  or  compromise.  No  umpire  could  be 
found  who  was  competent  to  decide,  or  who  could 
expect  obedience  to  his  decision.  The  separation 
appeared  to  be  without  remedy ;  hope  was  expir- 
ing ;  and  many  valuable  members,  who  abhorred 
discord,  and  could  no  longer  sustain  the  evils 
which  it  produced,  now  left  the  Church  and  joined 
other  denominations."  * 

Such  was  the  distracted  and  perilous  state  of  the 
Dutch  Church,  under  the  baneful  influence  of  this 
dispute,  at  the  time  when  Mr.  Livingston,  after 
much  serious  deliberation,  and  earnest  prayer  to 
God,  for  direction,  believed  it  was  his  duty  to  com- 
mence the  study  of  theology. 

And  the  reader  is  requested  to  bear  in  memory, 
the  aUenation,  bitterness,  and  open  violence,  now  so 
prevalent ; — the  ruin,  the  utter  extinction  of  the 
Church,  which  it  was  feared  would  inevitably  follow, 
ere  long,  as  the  effect  of  this  unholy  strife  ;  and  he 


*  Chris.  Mag. 


THE  CHURCH.  95 

will  see,  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  narrative,  how 
wisely,  and  how  kindly,  and  how  wonderfully  in- 
deed, after  the  lapse  of  a  century  nearly,  God,  in 
his  providence,  recompensed  the  Christian  sympa- 
thies and  attentions  of  the  Church  of  Holland  towards 
the  pious  John  Livingston,  of  Ancrum,  whom  it 
received  and  cherished,  when  exiled  from  his  own 
country  for  his  orthodoxy  and  zeal,  by  rendering  a 
descendant  of  his  an  invaluable  blessing  to  a  portion 
of  the  same  Church,  when  tossed  with  tempest,  and 
apparently  upon  the  brink  of  destruction. — And,  as 
it  is  likely  that  this  portion  of  the  Church,  though 
in  a  distant  country,  comprehended  within  its  pale 
some  of  the  lineal  descendants  of  the  particular 
Dutch  friends  of  that  persecuted  and  holy  man, 
it  will  not  be  unreasonable  to  imagine,  that  in  return 
for  the  friendship  shown  him,  such  descendants 
were  some  how  personally  benefitted,  through 
the  honoured  instrumentaUty  of  his  descendant. 
Bread  cast  upon  the  waters  shall  be  found  after 
many  days.  Jl  cup  of  cold  water  given  to  one  be- 
cause he  belongs  to  Christ,  shall  not  lose  its  reward. 

But  there  was  another  event  of  the  day,  which, 
as  being  connected  with  much  that  will  appear  in  a 
subsequent  chapter,  and  forming  a  signal  epocha  in 
the  annals  of  the  Church,  deserves  to  be  brought 
distinctly  under  the  notice  of  the  reader ; — and  that 


96  THE  CHURCH. 

Was,  the  introduction  of  the  English  language  in 
the  service  of  the  sanctuary.  Until  1664,  while 
the  Colony  was  under  the  Dutch  Government,  the 
Dutch  language  was,  of  course,  the  only  one  in 
general  use  ;  but  long  after  it  was  in  the  possession 
of  Great  Britain,  as  the  Dutch  inhabitants  were 
by  far  the  most  numerous,  their  language  still  con- 
tinued to  prevail.  They  used  it  in  their  schools — 
in  their  public  worship — in  transacting  their  ordi- 
nary business  :  and,  in  fact,  for  more  than  a  century, 
when  the  English  was  quite  familiar  to  them, — such 
was  their  attachment  to  their  mother  tongue, — they 
spoke  it  habitually  in  their  famihes.  But,  notwith- 
standing their  pains  to  preserve  it,  by  the  combined 
influence  of  many  agents  and  circumstances,  it 
began  at  length  to  decline,  and  the  consequence,  at 
last,  was  its  entire  discontinuance.  The  causes  of 
this  decline,  and  of  the  final  predominance  of  the 
English  language  in  the  province,  can  be  easily 
traced. 

"  As  the  greatest  part  of  this  province  consisted 
of  Dutch  inhabitants,"  says  Judge  Smith,  "  all  our 
Governors  thought  it  good  policy  to  encourage 
English  preachers  and  schoolmasters  in  the  colony. 
No  man  could  be  more  bent  upon  such  a  project 
than  Fletcher,  a  bigot  to  the  Episcopal  form  of 
church  government.    He,  accordingly,  recommen- 


THE   CHUHCU.  9t 

ded  this  matter  to  the  assembly,  on  his  tirst  arrival, 
as  well  as  at  their  present  meeting.  The  house, 
from  their  attachment  to  the  Dutch  language,  and 
the  model  of  the  Church  of  Holland,  secured  by 
one  of  the  articles  of  surrender,  were  entirely  dis- 
inclined to  the  scheme,  which  occasioned  a  warm 
rebuke  from  the  governor,  in  his  speech  at  the 
close  of  the  session."  At  the  next  meeting  of  the 
assembly,  in  September  1693,  a  bill  loas  passed,  in 
compliance  with  his  wishes,  "  for  settling  a  ministry, 
and  was  sent  up  to  the  governor  and  council,  who 
immediately  returned  it  with  an  amendment,  to  vest 
liis  excellency  with  an  episcopal  power  of  inducting 
every  incumbent,  adding  to  that  part  of  the  bill,  near 
the  end,  which  gave  the  right  of  presentation  to 
the  people,  these  words,  and  presented  to  the 
governor  to  be  approved  and  collated.  The  house 
declined  their  consent  to  the  addition,  and  imme- 
diately returned  the  bill  praying, — that  it  may  pass 
without  the  amendment^  having  in  the  drawing  of  the 
bill,  had  a  due  regard  to  that  pious  intent  of  settling 
a  ministry,  jor  the  benefit  of  the  people.- ■ 

According  to  this  act,  a  certain  number  of  vestr}- 
men,  and  church-wardens,  must  be  annually  elect 
ed  in  the  city    and  county  of  New- York,  and  in 
the  counties  of  West  Chester,  Queen's,  and  Rich 
mond,  to  choose  "  a  good  and  sufficient  Protestanf 


95  THE  CHURCH. 

minister"  for  each  district ;  and,  for  the  support  of 
the  minister  so  chosen,  they  were  authorized  to 
levy  upon  each  district  a  certain  sum,  to  be  paid 
by  the  inhabitants,  of  all  denominations.  The  act 
itself  made  no  invidious  distinction  between  minis- 
ters of  different  denominations  ;  but  it  was  inter- 
preted as  allowing  of  the  choice  only  of  those  of 
the  Episcopal  Church.  A  construction,  so  disin- 
genuous and  unwarrantable,  naturally  provoked 
much  dissatisfaction  in  the  community  ;  and  in 
April,  1695,  a  petition  having  been  presented  upon 
the  subject,  the  assembly  declared  it  to  be  their 
opinion,  *•  that  the  vestry-men  and  church-wardens 
have  power  to  call  a  dissenting  Protestant  minister, 
and  that  he  is  to  be  paid  and  maintained  as  the  act 
directs.  The  intent  of  this  petition,"  adds  the  his- 
torian, "  was  to  refute  an  opinion  which  prevailed, 
that  the  late  ministry  act  was  made  for  the  sole 
benefit  of  Episcopal  clergymen."  *  The  popular 
discontent  was  not  quieted,  however,  by  this 
manoeuvre:  it  was  a  mere  piece  of  finesse  ; — for, 
whatever  was  the  power  of  vestry-men  and  church- 
wardens in  the  matter,  under  their  auspices  the 
operation  of  the  law  was  sure  to  be  what  it  had 
been,  and  what,  no  doubt,  the  crafty  governor 
intended  it  should  be, — solely  in  favour  of  such 
— -• .» — -— 

*  See  Smithes  Hist,  pages  137— 143— and  Chris.  Mag. 


THE  CHURCH.  99 

dergymm  ;  and  thus  the  Episcopal  church  was 
eatabUshed  and  supported  for  near  a  century,  in 
the  counties  above  mentioned. 

Before  this  law  was  enacted,  the  Dutch  Church 
was  by  far  the  most  distinguished  of  any  in  the 
colony.  In  numbers,  in  wealth,  in  respectability, 
it  unquestionably  occupied  the  first  place  ;  but  as 
soon  as  the  Episcopal  church  was  made  so  pro- 
minently an  object  of  government-favour,  it  lost 
some  supporters,  as  a  natural  consequence  of  the 
inducements  then  held  out  to  defection;  and  a 
character  and  reception  were  at  once,  by  that 
means,  in  connexion  with  others  employed  for  the 
same  purpose,  secured  to  the  English  language, 
which,  in  their  influence,  in  process  of  time,  produ- 
ced a  considerable  change  in  its  relative  situation, 
and  for  a  while,  indeed,  very  seriously  affected  its 
peace. — To  cultivate  an  acquaintance  with  this 
language,  soon  became  necessary  and  fashionable 
among  the  people ;  and  it  is  not  improbable,  that  a 
view  to  the  object,  prompted  several  at  first  to  fro 
quent  the  Episcopal  Church,  who  afterwards  found 
it  convenient  to  connect  themselves  fully  with  that 
Church. 

The  civil  courts  performed  their  business  in  the 
English  language  : — Enghsh  families  multiplied : — 
English  schools  were  established  : — the  trade  with 


iOU  THE    CHURCH. 

English  merchants  increased  : — a  friendly  inter- 
course with  the  adjacent  English  provinces  was 
maintained  : — intermarriages  with  the  English 
inhabitants  occasionally  took  place ;  and  all  these 
circumstances,  in  united  operation,  soon  brought 
the  language  greatly  in  vogue. 

Such  was  its  predominance  after  the  lapse  of 
some  years,  that  many  of  the  young  people,  par- 
ticularly in  the  city  of  New- York,  who  had  grown 
up  in  the  constant  use  of  it,  could  no  longer  sit  with 
profit  under  Dutch  preaching,  and,  therefore,  de« 
sired  that  it  might  be  adopted  in  the  public  wor» 
ship  of  God. — Unwilling  to  leave  the  Church  of 
their  fathers, — the  Church  in  which  they  had  been 
baptized,  and  to  which,  for  that  and  other  reasons, 
they  felt  much  attached, — ^they  ventured  to  urge, 
pretty  strongly,  the  propriety  and  necessity  of  a 
substitution  of  the  English  for  the  Dutch  language 
in  the  Church  service. 

This  request  produced  contention  in  the  Church 
of  New- York,  which  was  not  without  its  mischiev- 
ous effects,  and  was  of  no  short  duration. 

"  The  Dutch  congregation,"  says  the  forecited 
historian,*  "  is  more  numerous  than  any  other,  but 

*  Sefe  Smith's  Hist.  p.  291 . 


THE    CHURCH.  101 

as  the  language  becomes  disused,  it  is  mmk  dimi- 
nished ;  and,  unless  they  change  their  worship  into 
the  EngUsh  tongue,  must  soon  suffer  a  total  dissi- 
pation." 

Some  respectable  families  had  already  left  it  on 
account  of  the  language,  and  united  with  other 
Churches  :  but  still,  so  infatuated  were  many,  es- 
pecially of  the  aged  part  of  the  Church,  with  the  no- 
tion, that  its  very  existence  depended  upon  the 
continuance  of  the  language,  that  the  request  now 
made  was  received  with  indignation,  and  resisted  to 
the  utmost. 

They  feared  that  the  proposed  suppression  of 
the  language,  if  effected,  would  necessarily  involve, 
in  time,  the  loss  of  the  doctrines,  the  mode  of  wor- 
ship, the  government,  the  very  name  of  the  Church  : 
and  there  is  reason  to  believe,  that  the  opposition 
to  it  was  fomented  by  the  interference  of  the  Dutch 
ministers,  who,  as  they  could  not  officiate  m  the 
English  language,  were  not  a  Uttle  uneasy  at  the 
prospect  of  its  introduction.  The  opposition  as- 
sumed, at  length,  a  mahgnant  and  violent  aspect, 
which  induced  more  of  the  congregation,  that  had 
no  relish  for  scenes  of  animosity  and  discord,  to  go 
over  to  other  Christian  societies  ;  and  at  this  im- 
portant  jimctiire.  when  it  was  evident  that  some- 


102  THE   CHURCH. 

thing  must  be  done  to  gratify  the  friends  of  a 
change,  and  also,  if  possible,  to  terminate  the  un- 
happy dispute,  or  the  congregation  "  suffer  a  total 
dissipation," — the  Consistory  resolved  to  call  a  mi- 
nister to  preach  in  the  English  language. 

This  was  a  decisive  measure, — a  measure  teem- 
ing with  the  most  momentous  consequences  to 
the  future  welfare  of  the  Church, — a  measure  which, 
though  it  had  to  encounter  a  warm  and  determined 
hostility,  was  agreed  upon  with  singular  moderation 
and  prudence.  The  Consistory  had  been  accused 
of  unfriendliness  to  the  Dutch  Church,  in  medita- 
ting such  a  measure,  or  in  showing  any  disposition  to 
favour  the  views  of  the  Enghsh  party  ;  and,  as  they 
knew  that  there  were  Enghsh  Churches  in  some 
cities  of  the  United  Netherlands,  in  connection  with 
the  national  Established  Church, — to  evmce  theii' 
attachment  to  the  Church,  and  hoping  by  this  means 
to  restore  peace, — they  resolved,  not  merely  to  call 
a  minister  to  preach  in  the  Enghsh  language,  but  to 
call  one  from  Holland,  through  the  medium  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam.  Accordingly,  they  prepar- 
ed a  blank  call,  and  enclosed  it  in  a  letter  to  the 
Classis,  requesting  that  the  call  might  be  properly 
filled  up,  and  put  into  the  hands  of  the  individual 
whom  that  rev.  body  should  deem  quahfied  for  the 
station.    Upon  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  the  Classis 


THE    CHURCH.  103 

very  promptly  complied  with  the  request  it  con- 
tained, and  sent  the  call  to  Mr.  Archibald  Laidlie, 
then  a  minister  of  the  English  Church,  at  Vlis- 
singen,  (or  Flushing),  in  Zealand,  and  a  member  of 
the  Classis  of  Walcheren. 

A  more  judicious  and  happy  selection  could  not 
have  been  made ;  and  it  was  made  under  the 
special  guidance  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
as  the  event  proved. 

Mr.  LaidHe  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  receiv- 
ed his  education  in  the  University  of  Edinburgh, 
In  1759,  he  settled  at  Fhishing ;  and,  during  his 
ministry  in  the  Church  of  that  place,  which  conti- 
nued a  little  over  four  years,  he  was  highly  esteem- 
ed for  his  enlightened  and  active  zeal  in  the  service 
of  his  Master — for  his  extensive  attainments  in 
theology  and  general  literature — and  for  his  warm 
attachment  to  all  the  doctrines  of  grace.  He  re- 
ceived and  accepted  the  call  from  New-York,  in 
Nov.  1763  ;  and  arrived  at  that  city  the  latter  part 
of  the  March  following.  A  fortnight  after  his  arri- 
val, April  15,  1764,  having  been  duly  recognized 
as  one  of  the  ministers  of  the  Dutch  Church,  he 
preached  his  first  sermon, — the  first  ever  delivered 
in  the  English  language  in  the  Dutch  Church — to  a 
very  crowded  and    devoutly   attentive  auditory. 


104  THE    CHURCH. 

The  text  was  2  Cor.  5.  xi.  Knowing  the  terror  of  the 
Lord,  we  persuade  7nen, — The  wishes  of  a  large 
majority  of  the  congregation  were  now  accom- 
plished.— God,  in  mercy,  had  heard  their  prayers, 
and  granted  them  EngUsh  preaching  ; — and,  what 
rendered  the  boon  peculiarly  gratifymg,  there  was 
good  evidence  that  the  preacher,  who  had  been  sent 
to  them,  was  truly  a  man  after  God's  own  heart.  It 
was,  therefore,  a  season  of  thanksgiving  and  praise 
in  their  habitations,  long  gratefully  remembered. 

It  has  been  said,  and  the  anecdote  is  repeated, 
simply  to  show  the  warm  and  kindly  feelings  with 
which  the  ministrations  of  this  eminent  servant  of 
Christ  were  regarded,  that  some  pious  aged  per- 
sons gathered  around  him  at  the  close  of  a  prayer- 
meeting  one  evening,  when  he  had  been  fervently 
addressing  the  Throne  of  Grace,  and  said  to  him, 
"Ah,  Dominie  !  we  offered  up  many  an  earnest 
prayer,  in  Dutch,  for  your  coming  among  us  ;  and 
truly  the  Lord  has  heard  us,  in  English,  and  has 
sent  you  to  us."* 

The  venerable  subject  of  this  Memoir,  m  one 
of  his  private  papers,  thus  speaks  of  Mr.  Laidhe  : 
'*  He  was  a  very  acceptable  preacher  ;  bold  and 


*  Mag.  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 


TliE    CHURCH.  105 

authoritative,  commanding  respect,  fear,  and  love. 
The  wicked  trembled  when  he  announced  the 
terrors  of  the  Lord,  while  the  lambs  of  the  flock 
were  nourished  and  comforted,  when  he  displayed 
the  grace,  care,  and  faithfulness  of  their  divine 
and  good  Shepherd.  He  was  much  delighted  with^ 
and  attached  to,  the  Church  Catechism  ;  he  had 
studied  it  with  great  dihgence,  and  prepared  excel- 
lent lectures  upon  every  section  of  that  precious 
standard  of  evangelical  truths.  By  this  study  he 
became  a  learned  and  sound  divine,  and  recom- 
mended himself  greatly  to  the  Church.  In  his 
labours,  preaching,  catechising  and  visiting  the 
congregation,  he  was  indefatigable.  He  was  the 
first  who  was  called  expressly  to  preach  English  in 
the  Dutch  Church  in  America.  A  revival  of  reli- 
gion then  commenced ;  the  Church  prospered, 
and  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  was  abundantly  expe- 
rienced under  his  ministry." 

The  writer  has  often  heard  an  aged  saint,  who 
recurred  with  evident  satisfaction  to  the  hours  she 
had  spent  under  the  preaching,  or  catechetical 
mstructions  of  this  man  of  God,  tell  of  the  revival 
alluded  to  in  the  above  extract;  and,  from  the 
representation  given  of  it,  it  must  have  been  a 
powerful  and  glorious  work  of  the  Spirit.    From 

traditionarv  and  other  accounts,  it  appears,  that 

U 


106  THE  CHURCH. 

Dr.  Laidlie  (now  made  a  Doctor  in  Divinity  by  the 
College  at  Princeton)  was  a  man  not  only  of  ardent 
piety  and  remarkable  pulpit  talents,  but  also  of 
more  than  common  discernment  and  prudence ; 
possessing  precisely  those  qualities,  the  exercise  of 
which,  in  his  difficult  situation,  was  indispensably 
necessary  to  the  enjoyment  of  much  comfort,  or  to 
extensive  usefulness. 

Coming  hito  the  Church  at  a  time  when  the 
collision  of  opinions  and  interests  between  the  two 
great  parties,  the  Costus  and  Confereniie,  was  at 
its  height;  and  connected  with  a  congregation, 
which  was  in  a  state  of  very  excited  dissension,  in 
consequence  of  his  settlement  among  them  as  an 
English  preacher,  it  behooved  him  to  look  well  to 
his  goings :  and  he  did  so  look  to  them.  He  was 
plain  and  affectionate  in  all  his  deportment: — He 
complied  with  the  existing  practice  of  the  Church 
in  the  most  trivial  things  : — He  treated  with  the 
utmost  respect  the  patrons  of  the  Dutch  language  : 
— He  studied  peace  ;  and  made  it  evident  to  all,  in 
his  public  ministrations  and  private  conversation, 
that  his  predominant  desire  was  to  win  souls  to 
Christ.  It  was  his  happmess,  therefore,  to  enjoy, 
in  a  very  high  degree,  the  esteem  and  confidence 
of  the  congregation  which  he  served,  and  of  the 
C'hristian  community  at  large .     But  beloved  as  was 


THE  CHURCH.  107 

Dr.  Laidlie,  and  successfiil  as  had  been  his  minis- 
try, in  the  city,  from  the  moment  of  its  com- 
mencement, there  still  remained  those,  whom  a 
blind  and  invincible  attachment  to  the  Dutch  lan- 
guage, incited  to  a  course  of  conduct  exceedingly 
blame-worthy  in  itself,  and,  in  no  small  degree, 
vexatious  to  the  Church.  They  were  not  to  be 
reconciled  to  the  innovation ; — nay,  seemingly  the 
more  chagrined,  the  more  popular  it  appeared  to 
be,  they  were  incessant  in  their  efforts  to  obtain 
such  a  preponderance  of  their  party  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Church,  or  such  a  triumph  over  the 
Consistory  in  a  civil  suit,  which  had  been  instituted 
against  that  body  for  a  supposed  illegal  act,  a?: 
would  give  them  the  power  of  exploding  it. 

The  nature  of  the  suit  alluded  to,  which,  though 
commenced  nearly  two  years  before,  was  yet 
undecided,  and  which  must  be  noticed  a  second 
and  a  third  time  in  the  succeeding  pages,  as  invol- 
ving the  final  settlement  of  the  question  relative  to 
the  language,  it  is  proper  should  be  here  briefly 
but  distinctly  stated. 

Soon  after  the  blank  call  was  sent  to  Holland, 
the  principal  opponents  of  the  measure  concerted 
among  themselves  a  plan  for  turning  out  of  office 
those  that  had  given  it  their  support,  and  putting 


i08  THE    CHURCH. 

in  men,  who  would  endeavour,  at  once,  to  nullity  all 
the  proceedmgs  m  the  case.  In  order  to  carry 
these  designs,  it  was  proposed  that,  at  the  next 
election,  the  members  in  full  communion,  a  majority 
of  whom  they  believed  was  on  their  side,  should 
choose  the  new  Consistory,  in  contravention  to  a 
long  immemorial  practice  of  the  Church, — or,  at 
least,  assert  their  right  to  do  so ;  and,  in  the  event  of 
its  being  denied,  immediately  seek  redress  in  a 
court  of  justice.  Accordingly,  in  the  ensuing  Octo- 
ber, when  the  election  was  held,  the  right  was 
claimed,  in  due  form,  by  a  Mr.  Abel  Hardenbrook, 
who  offered  to  vote  upon  the  occasion.  The  vote 
was  of  course  rejected,  and  that  rejection  was  made, 
without  any  delay,  the  ground  of  a  judicial  process. 

The  Enghsh  language  ought,  in  reality,  to  have 
been  introduced  into  the  Dutch  church  fifty  years  * 

*  Dr.  Livingston  thought  it  should  have  been  introduced  an  hun- 
dred years  before.  Mr.  P.  V.  B.  Livingston,  a  respectable  relative 
of  his,  in  a  letter  dated  Feb.  1769,  writing  on  the  subject  says—- 
"  Had  this  been  done  in  this  city,  thirty  years  ago,  the  Dutch 
congregation  would  have  been  much  more  numerous  than  it  is 
now.  The  greatest  part  of  the  Episcopal  Church  consists  of 
accessions  they  have  made  from  the  Dutch  Church."  He  adds, 
— that  though  the  Dutch  was  his  mother  tongue — the  first  lan- 
guage he  had  been  taught,  and  was  still  spoken  by  him  with  ease 
=— he  could  not  understand  a  Dutch  sermon  half  as  well  as  he 
could  an  English  one,  and  that  as  for  his  children — "there  was 
notjone  that  understood  a  sentence  in  Dutch." 


THE    CHURCH.  109 

sooner  than  it  was  ;  and  would  have  been  mtrodii- 
ced,  if  the  future  prosperity  of  the  church  had  been 
properly  consulted.  And,  though  the  fathers  of  the 
Church,  some  of  whom  were  truly  pious  and  ex- 
cellent persons,  were  excusable  for  opposing  the 
change,  prior  to  the  adoption  of  any  measures  to 
settle  an  English  preacher,  honestly  believing  that 
it  would  lead,  if  tried,  to  deplorable  results, — ^it 
may  seem  strange,  that  after  a  call  was  actually 
sent  to  Holland,  they  should  try  to  break  down  an 
old  established  custom,  and  show  sifch  a  determined 
purpose  to  maintain  the  stand  they  had  taken  ; — 
or  that,  apart  from  other  motives,  which  ought  to 
have  had  some  influence  upon  them,  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  their  children,  who  understood,  as  was 
admitted,  very  little  of  Dutch  sermons,  did  not 
constrain  them  to  acquiesce,  without  even  a  mur- 
mur, in  the  decision  of  the  constituted  authority  of 
the  Church.  But,  the  conduct  of  the  best  of  men 
is  sometimes  unaccountably  inconsistent  with  the 
principles  they  profess  :  and  great  allowance  must 
certainly  be  made  for  such  folly, — as  prejudice,  not 
reason,  governs  them ;  and  there  are  ever  those, 
whose  interest  prompts  them  to  take  aavantage  of 
the  prejudice  of  others,  to  inflame  their  passions, 
and  to  provoke  them  to  deeds  which,  it  requires 
no  prophetic  ken  to  foresee,  will  issue  in  shame  and 
regret. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING    TO    HIS     THEOLOGICAL 
STUDIES,  AND  TO   THE  CHURCH  OF  NEW-YORK. 

The  state  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  America,  at  the 
time  when  Mr.  Livingston  thought  of  entering  upon 
the  study  of  Divinity  (exhibited  in  the  last  chapter), 
was  not  such,  it  must  be  confessed,  as  was  likely 
to  excite  in  him  the  least  inclination  to  become  one 
of  her  ministers.  The  great  schism  that  existed, 
the  hatred  and  turmoil  so  prevalent  in  consequence, 
the  difficulty  of  obtaining  ordination,  his  ignorance 
of  the  language  then  used  in  divine  service  in  every 
part  of  the  Church,  excepting  only  a  single  congre- 
gation— for,  owing  to  the  education  he  had  received, 
he  was  not  at  all  familiar  with  it, — these  were  dis- 
couragements which,  it  is  natural  to  imagine,  would 
have  determined  him,  without  hesitation^  to  join 
some  other  denomination  of  Christians. — But  he 
did  hesitate,  notwithstanding :  and  he  decided,  even- 
tually, to  continue  in  the  Church. 

And,  let  no  one  suspect  there  was  any  bigotry  in 
this  decision.    There  was  some  magnanimity,  but 


CIRCUMSTANCES,  &C.  Ill 

no  bigotry  in  it.  His  heart  glowed  with  Christian 
charity.  He  detested  the  spirit  that  regards  any 
ecclesiastical  line  of  demarcation  as  the  boundary, 
beyond  which  the  operations  of  saving  grace 
must  necessarily  cease, — or  that  blind  zeal,  which 
debars  from  a  participation  in  the  benefits  of  salva- 
tion, all  who  are  without  the  pale  of  a  particular 
Church. — He  believed  that  the  exercise  of  that 
faith  in  Christ,  which  is  the  effect  of  a  divine  influ- 
ence upon  the  heart,  and  not  the  mere  fact  of  be- 
longing to  a  Church,  however  pure  its  doctrines,  or 
primitive  its  government  might  be,  secured  heaven 
to  a  sinner  ;  and,  therefore,  that  all  of  every  name, 
having  that  faith,  and  worshipping  in  spirit  and  truth, 
were  of  the  number  of  God's  precious  people,  and 
would  be  saved. — Still,  as  he  observed  some  differ- 
ence in  the  distinctive  peculiarities  of  the  several 
denominations,  whose  standards  included  substan- 
tially the  same  articles  of  faith,  he  deemed  it  proper, 
before  making  any  positive  arrangements  for  his 
future  studies,  to  satisfy  himself  which  Church 
was,  in  every  respect,  the  most  comformable  to  the 
model  presented  in  the  word  of  God,  and  in  which 
he  would  have  the  fairest  prospect  of  usefulness. 
The  inquiry  was  one  of  great  importance ;  and 
the  result  showed,  that  he  had  sought  in  it  only  the 
testimony  of  a  good  conscience.  Those  very  cir- 
cumstances, which  almost  any  other  youth  similarly 
situated,  would  have  viewed  as  conveying  in  the 


112  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING  TO 

aggregate,  a  command  of  Providence  to  leave  the 
Dutch  Church,  he  viewed  as  laying  him  under  an 
obligation,  in  some  measure,  to  remain  in  it ;  or  so 
far  from  having  a  discouraging  effect,  they  had,  on 
the  contrary,  a  powerful  influence  in  producing  the 
resolution  which  he  finally  adopted.  This  fact 
ought  to  be  known  in  the  Church. — In  the  manu- 
script, from  which  extracts  have  already  been 
made  to  some  extent,  he  thus  relates  the  reasons 
of  this  preference. 

'*When  the  main  question  respecting  my  en- 
gagement  in  the  ministry  was  decided,  another 
of  no  small  magnitude  arose,  upon  which  it  was 
necessary,  with  caution  and  good  conscience,  to 
determine.  This  was,  to  what  denomination  of 
Christians  duty  prompted  an  attachment,  or  in 
which  Church  I  ought  to  minister.  The  Episco- 
pahan,  Presbyterian,  and  Dutch,  were  the  only 
three  among  which  a  selection  was  to  be  made. 
In  regard  to  the  EpiscopahanSi  I  considered  them  as 
very  respectable,  and  supposed  their  doctrines,  as 
expressed  in  their  articles  of  faith  and  liturgy,  to  be 
sound  and  excellent ;  but  I  was  under  the  impres- 
sion that  those  doctrines  were  not  cordially  main- 
tained, certainly  not  generally  preached  by  the 
ministers  of  that  Church,  and  that  I  could  not,  there- 
fore, hold  a  cheerful  communion  with  them.    Be- 


HIS    THEOLOGICAL    STUUIESi  lij3 

sides,  their  ceremonies,  repetitions,  and  what  I 
thought  to  be  an  unmeaning  and  improper  parade 
in  worship,  lessened  my  admiration  for  them : 
while  their  popish  bigotry  in  favour  of  a  monarchi- 
cal government  of  their  Church,  with  their  frivo- 
lous affectation  of  superiority  above  other  denomi- 
nations, to  whom,  in  many  respects,  they  were  vast- 
ly inferior,  exceedingly  disgusted  me.  To  their 
own  master  I  left  them,  but  I  did  not  wish  to  join 
tiiemo" 

'*  In  the  Presbyterian  Church,  I  had  been  often 
instructed  and  edified.  Their  doctrines  were  pure, 
and  their  preaching  was  evangelical  and  practical. 
Their  mode  of  worship  appeared  to  be  consistent 
with  the  spirituality,  simpUcity,  and  dignity  of  the 
New  Testament  Dispensation  :  and  their  form  of 
government  was  founded  upon  that  principle  of 
equality  which  the  Lord  Jesus  established  among 
the  ministers  of  his  Church.  I  could  have  joined 
the  Presbyterian  Church  with  great  freedom,  and 
would  have  done  so,  had  not  motives  occurred 
which  induced  me  to  prefer  the  Dutch  Church 
My  parents  were  members,  in  full  communion,  of 
th-e  Reformed  Dutch  Church ;  I  was  baptized  in 
that  Church,  and  thus  a  member  of  it,  although 
not  yet  in  full  communion ;  and,  in  my  estimation, 

the  doctrines,  worship,    and  government  of  the 

15 


114  CIRCUMSTANCES   RELATING  TO 

Church,  were  pure  and  evangelical.  This  decided 
the  inquiry,  and  convinced  me,  that  as  I  already 
belonged  to  a  Church,  which  was  equal  in  its  purity 
to  any  in  the  world,  it  was  my  duty  to  remain  in  it, 
and  consecrate  my  future  service  in  that  connexion 
and  denomination." 

*'  There  was  another  motive,  which  impercepti- 
bly yet  powerfully  inclined  me  to  this  determina- 
tion. An  unhappy  schism  and  controversy  had,  for 
several  years,  subsisted  in  the  Dutch  Churches  in 
America,  which,  unless  soon  suppressed,  threatened 
the  annihilation  of  that  whole  denomination.  The 
precise  grounds  of  the  dispute,  or  the  best  means 
for  reconciUng  the  contending  parties,  I  had  not 
then  completely  surveyed.  The  existing  facts, 
however,  were  notorious  and  afflictive  ;  and  I  un- 
derstood enough  to  convince  me  of  the  inevitable 
ruin  which  was  impending,  and  must  soon  be  ex- 
perienced, if  those  dissensions  were  not  healed. 
For  the  restoration  of  peace  and  prosperity  in  this 
distinguished  portion  of  the  Lord's  vineyard,  I  felt 
an  ardent  desire ;  and  it  was  powerfully  impres- 
sed upon  my  mind,  that  God  would  render  me, 
however  unworthy  and  unfit  for  that  arduous  work, 
an  instrument  in  his  hand  to  compromise  and  heal 
these  dissensions,  and  raise  the  reputation,  and 
establish  the  dignity  and  usefulness  of  the  Dutch 


HIS    THEOLOGICAL    STUDIES.  115 

Church  in  America.  In  what  way  these  great  ob- 
jects were  to  be  effected,  or  how  the  Lord  would 
prepare,  and  afterwards  employ  me,  for  that  pur- 
pose, I  did  not  know,  nor  did  this  excite  any  diffi- 
dence or  uneasiness.  The  point  was  settled  in 
my  mind,  and  I  was  fully  persuaded  it  would  be 
accomplished.  This  removed  all  further  hesitation, 
and  fixed  my  determination  to  abide  in  my  own 
Church.  The  posterior  dealings  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, and  the  gracious  fulfilment  of  my  expecta- 
tions, have  afforded  me  abundant  evidence  that  my 
choice  has  been  crowned  with  the  divine  approba- 
tion." 

The  impression  which  it  appears  he  had,  that 
he  would  be  made  in  some  way  instrumental  in 
restoring  peace  to  the  church,  and  which  was  sd 
strong  as  io  fix  his  determination  to  abide  in  it,  some 
probably  would  pronounce — "  the  baseless  fabric 
of  a  vision," — or  a  mere  whim  of  self-importance  ; 
but  it  was  neither,  and  a  single  remark  will  be 
sufficient  to  make  this  evident,  without  adverting 
to  the  result. — It  would  have  been  little  less  than 
perfect  idiocy  in  him,  if  under  the  influence  of  am- 
bition and  conceit,  to  have  selected  for  pursuit  an 
object  of  such  precarious  attainment ; — something 
more  obviously  practicable, — something  environed 
with  fewer  difficvdties,  and  not  quite  so  continjapfeal 


116  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING   TO 

in  its  nature  would  have  been  aimed  at.  He  would 
lather  have  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  plain  pathway 
to  comfort,  usefulness,  and  honourable  distinction, 
then  presented  in  either  the  Presbyterian  or  Epis- 
copal Church  The  impression,  it  is  believed 
therefore,  was  from  God ;  and  the  determination  he 
formed,  was,  all  things  considered,  an  evidence 
of  genuine  humility,  and  of  a  sincere  desire  to  pro- 
mote the  divine  glory  in  the  work  to  which  he  was 
about  to  devote  himself.  The  jeering  scioHst  may 
spiile,  if  he  pleases,  at  the  sentiment  just  express- 
ed ;  and  even  some  rational  Christians  may  not  be 
altogether  pleased  with  it.  The  fact,  however,  is  in- 
disputable, that  an  extraordinary  impulse  has  often 
given  rise  to  a  series  of  conduct,  which  was  con- 
nected in  the  last  result  with  some  important  event 
or  events,  and  these  showed  such  impulse  to  have 
proceeded  from  a  special  interposition  of  God. 

Mr.  Livingston  having  now  (in  the  spring  of 
1765,)  in  a  good  measure,  recovered  his  health, 
occupied  much  of  his  time  in  reading  historical, 
poetical,  and  other  works,  calculated  to  improve 
him  in  general  and  polite  literature.  Among  the 
authors  that  engaged  his  attention  was  the  celebra- 
ted Shakspeare  ;  but  he  had  no  relish  for  dramatic 
writings,  or  theatrical  performances.  And  it  will 
not  be  amiss,  perhaps,  though  it  be  a  slight  infringe- 


HIS    THEOLOGICAL    STUDIES.  117 

ment  of  the  continuity  of  the  present  narrative,  to 
insert  here  his  sentiments  upon  the  subject  of  the 
Theatre.  They  are  exceedingly  just — and  to  some 
who  may  happen  to  peruse  these  pages,  they  may 
administer  some  seasonable  and  salutary  counsel. 
The  Theatre  is  a  place  to  which  it  is  but  too  fa- 
shionable for  persons  of  every  age  to  resort ;  and,  as 
a  certain  Poet  once  expressed  liimself — 

"It  is  a  golden,  but  a  fatal  circle, 
"  Upon  whose  magic  skirts  a  thousand  devils, 
"  In  crystal  forms,  sit,  tempting  innocence, 
"  And  beckon  early  virtue  from  its  centre." 

"I  was  early  convinced,"  he  says,  "that  the 
Theatre,  whatever  modifications  it  might  promise, 
and  how  innocent  soever  it  might  prove  to  some, 
who,  burdened  with  business,  seek  a  relaxation  at 
the  playhouse,  was,  in  fact,  in  its  very  scope 
and  natural  influence,  the  nursery  of  vice,  and 
ruinous  to  youth : — that  it  produced  dangerous 
temptations ;  dissipated  the  mind  from  serious  exer- 
cises ;  and,  in  its  whole  apparatus  of  show,  drapery, 
noise,  and  insinuating  scenes,  was  inimical  to  that 
rigid  virtue,  that  strict  industry,  and  those  sober 
and  prudent  sentiments  and  habits,  which  every 
youth  ought  to  study  and  maintain.  I  was  confi- 
dent that  the  frequent,  and  vain,  and  wicked  invoca- 
tion of  the  Divine  name;  the  irreligious,  indelicate 


118  CIRCUMSTANCES   RELATING    TO 

and  even  obscene  insinuations ;  the  avowed  pro- 
vocatives to  unsanctified  passions  ;  and,  at  best,  the 
vulgar  and  fooUsh  subjects  with  which  the  Drama, 
especially  the  Comic,  abounds,  render  it  unworthy 
the  approbation  of  a  well-informed,  and  especially 
of  a  pious  mind,  and  wholly  improper  to  be  honour- 
ed with  the  presence  and  countenance  of  a  real 
Christian.  He  whose  heart  is  renewed,  who  loves 
a  holy  God,  and  trembles  at  his  word,  who  is  de- 
voted to  the  Saviour  that  died  to  redeem  him  from 
a  world  which  lieth  in  wickedness,  and  who  prays 
daily  to  be  kept  from  temptation,  will  not  go  to 
the  playhouse.  Unconverted  men,  even  those 
who  have  the  form  of  godliness  but  are  destitute  of 
its  power,  may  think  it  strange  that  the  Lord's 
people  do  not  run  with  them  to  the  same  excess  of 
dissipation  and  amusements.  But,  if  it  should  ever 
please  God  to  bring  those  men  to  a  correct  know- 
ledge of  their  own  vile  and  deceitful  hearts,  and 
make  them  anxious  to  be  saved  from  their  sins, 
through  a  crucified  Redeemer,  they  will  readily 
know  and  acknowledge  that  a  playhouse  is  inimi- 
cal to  their  devotion,  and  fatal  to  their  peace.  They 
will  cordially  unite  with  all  sincere  penitents  in  dis- 
approving the  Theatre  ;  and,  without  being  swayed 
or  overawed  by  the  interested  or  deluded  sons  of 
pleasure,  will  pronounce  the  playhouse  to  be  the 
most  pernicious  institution  that  exists  in  civilized 


HIS  THEOLOGICAL  STUDIES.  119 

and  polished  society.  They  will  condemn  it  as  the 
greatest  enemy  to  the  religion  of  the  Holy  Jesus, 
and  wonder  that  it  is  suffered  to  prevail,  or  meets 
with  patrons,  in  nations  who  are  called  after  the 
name  of  Christ." 

*'  My  early  aversion  to  the  Theatre  has  increas- 
ed and  been  corroborated  by  painful  observation. 
I  have  known  several  hopeful  youths  of  respectable 
connections,  who  might  have  been  an  honour  to  their 
families,  and  a  blessing  to  the  community,  to  be 
totally  ruined  by  their  early  attachment  to  the  play- 
house. Their  corruption  commenced  with  their 
attendance  at  the  Theatre.  There  they  formed  an 
acquaintance  with  low  and  unworthy  characters ; 
there,  under  its  baneful  influence,  they  grew  indo- 
lent and  dissipated,  impatient  of  study  and  close 
appUcation  to  any  business ;  and,  in  the  issue,  they 
became  some  of  them  insipid  and  useless  drones 
and  coxcombs,  many  of  them  final  victims  to  in- 
temperance, and  all  01  them  a  grief  to  their  parents." 

The  truth  of  this  testimony  to  the  pernicious 
effects  of  theatrical  exhibitions,  will  not  be  called  in 
question  by  any  who  were  acquainted  person- 
ally with  the  witness,  or  know  the  pure  and 
elevated  character  he  sustained; — and  it  is  earnestly 
desired  that  it  may  prove  the  means  of  turning  the 


120  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

feet  of  some  from  a  house  which  is  the  ivay  to  hell, 
going  down  to  the  chambers  of  death. 

To  return  to  the  narrative. — Mr.  Livingston,  it 
was  stated,  as  soon  as  he  found  himself  convales- 
cent, to  increase  his  stock  of  general  knowledge, 
engaged  in  a  pretty  extensive  course  of  reading. 
Nothing  occurred  after  this  worthy  of  particular 
notice,  till  he  had  his  first  interview  with  the  excel- 
lent Laidhe,  which  took  place  some  time  in  the 
following  summer,  and  proved  the  commencement 
of  a  cordialj  unreserved,  and  lasting  intimacy 
between  them.  At  this  interview,  it  is  presumed, 
he  disclosed  his  purpose  to  consecrate  himself  to 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation.  Whether  the  dis- 
closure was  made  then,  or  afterwards,  the  good 
Doctor,  knowing  the  labours  connected  with  the 
sacred  employment,  and  perceiving  his  young 
friend  to  be  in  feeble  health,  rather  at  first  seemed 
to  doubt  as  to  the  advice  it  would  be  proper  for 
him  to  give  in  the  case ;  but  he  did  not  doubt  long. 
Mr.  Livmgstonsoon  convinced  him  that  the  purpose 
was  not  to  be  abandoned  on  the  ground  of  the 
present  state  of  his  health,  that  he  had  fully  made 
up  his  mind  to  attempt  the  prosecution  of  it,  leaving 
the  event  with  God — and,  at  the  same  time,  cherish- 
ing  a  confident  hope  that  health  would  be  given,  and 
^vhatever  else  he  might  need.  Upon  the  appearance 


HIS  THEOLOGICAL  STUDIES  M- 

of  such  piety,  and  zeal,  and  trust  in  God,  Dr.  Laidlie 
at  once  encouraged  him  to  make  the  attempt,  and 
suggested  that  it  would  be  to  his  advantage  to  go 
to  Europe,  and  to  prosecute  his  theological  studies 
in  one  of  the  celebrated  Universities  of  Holland. 

The  suggestion  was  received  with  due  respect. 
He  had  wished  to  visit  that  country,  before  tliis 
conversation  took  place,  that  he  might  attempt  the 
removal  of  the  grievances  which  had  produced  the 
unhappy  breach  in  the  churches  here ;  being  per- 
suaded that  if  he  could  inform  the  ministers  of  Am- 
sterdam of  the  precise  state  of  these  churches, 
something  would  be  done  for  their  benefit;  and 
now,  that  another  inducement  to  go  there  was  pre- 
sented, he  thought,  if  there  should  be  such  a  con- 
currence of  circumstances,  as  to  show  him  that  Pro- 
vidence approved  it,  he  would  undertake  the 
voyage. 

In  July,  he  took  the  degree  of  master  of  aits ; 
and  the  succeeding  winter,  he  spent  in  the  city  of 
New- York.  The  society  of  Dr.  Laidhe,  and  other 
pious  friends  which  he  daily  enjoyed  ;  the  religious 
meetings  he  frequented ;  the  accurate  and  exten- 
sive knowledge  he  acquired  of  the  affairs  of  the 
church  during  this  season,  rendered  it  both  a  plea- 
sant and  useful  winter  to  him,  and  the  sojourn  waf; 

16 


122  CIRCUMSTANCES   RELATING  TO 

highly  necessary  in  reference  to  the   important 
object  in  contemplation. 

Finding,  in  the  spring,  his  health  considerably 
improved,  and  his  father  having  cheerfully  consent- 
ed to  his  receiving  a  foreign  education  for  the 
ministry,  as  also  to  defray  all  the  charges  which 
might  attend  it,  *  he  resolved  to  cross  the  Atlantic, 
and  prepared  accordingly. 

On  the  twelfth  of  May,  1766,  every  suitable 
preparation  being  made,  he  bid  adieu  to  relatives 
and  friends,  and  set  sail  for  Amsterdam.  He  was 
now  within  a  few  weeks  of  the  twentieth  year  of 
his  age ;  and  his  youth,  his  delicate  health,  the 
object  which  he  had  in  view  in  venturing  upon  the 
voyage,  and  other  circumstances,  imparted  to  the 
event,  in  the  eyes  of  many,  a  peculiar  and  touching 

*  This  is  particularly  mentioned,  because  it  has  been  said  that 
he  was  aided  in  the  prosecution  of  his  theological  studies  by  the 
Church  of  New- York.  Alluding  to  the  gratuitous  assertion,  he 
remarks, — "Whether  the  Dutch  Church  of  New-York  refunded 
what  I  had  paid  for  my  passage  in  the  packet  from  England  to 
America,  when  I  came  over  upon  their  call,  as  is  usual  in  such 
cases,  I  do  not  now  distinctly  recollect.  If  they  did,  it  is, 
certainly,  all  that  they  or  any  others  ever  paid,  for  any  expenses 
while  I  was  abroad."  As  his  father  was  abundantly  able,  and 
perfectly  willing  to  discharge  all  expenses,  there  was  no  need  of 
anv  assistance. 


HIS   THEOLOGICAL    STUDIES.  123 

interest.  Some  of  the  New- York  congregation 
already  cherished  the  hope  that  he  would,  at  a  pro- 
per time,  return  to  labour  among  them  in  holy 
things.  The  intercourse  of  a  few  months  had  given 
them  a  favourable  opinion  of  his  piety  and  talents, 
and  he  departed  with  their  fervent  prayers  to 
Heaven  in  his  behalf. 

He  had  a  tolerably  pleasant  voyage.  That  Al- 
mighty Being,  who  holds  the  winds  in  his  fists,  and 
the  waters  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  protected  his 
young  servant  from  dangers,  and  conveyed  him 
safely  to  his  particular  destination.  Once,  indeed, 
the  vessel,  when  saihng  up  the  British  Channel, 
was  in  quite  a  perilous  situation.  The  captain  had 
been  unable,  owing  to  cloudy  weather,  to  take  an 
observation  for  several  days ;  and,  mistaking  the  part 
of  the  Channel  where  he  was,  unwittingly  got  on 
the  coast  of  France,  very  near  the  shore.  The 
danger,  at  the  moment  it  was  discovered  that  the 
vessel  was  upon  the  coast  of  France,  of  her  being 
wrecked,  was  considerable  ;  but  just  then,  a  kind 
Providence  sent  a  favourable  wind,  which  wafted 
her  in  a  few  hours  abreast  of  Dover. 

On  the  twentieth  of  June,  or  in  thirty-nine  days 
after  leaving  New  York,  he  arrived  at  Amsterdam. 
The  attentions  he  now  received  from  the  several 


124  crRCUMSTANCES    RELATING  To 

individuals^  to  whom  he  had  brought  letters  of  re- 
commendation, were  of  the  most  gratifying  kind. 
To  Mr.  J.  Chabonell,  on  the  Keyser's  Grafts 
whose  house,  on  his  arrival,  at  the  particular  re- 
quest of  that  gentleman,  he  made  his  home ;  to  Mr. 
Daniel  Cronimelin  and  his  sons  ;  to  Mr.  Van  Haer- 
lingen ;  and  to  Mr.  Anthony  Van  Rensselaer,  with 
whom  he  afterwards  abode  whenever  he  visited 
Amsterdam,  he  felt  himself  much  indebted.  The 
kindness  of  these  generous  Hollanders,  especially 
of  the  family  of  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer,  he  could 
never  forget, 

Almost  immediately  upon  his  arrival,  he  endea- 
voured to  learn  where  he  could  most  advanta- 
geously settle  himself,  to  pursue  his  theological 
studies.  This  was  naturally  a  primary  subject  of 
inquiry,  as  he  had  left  his  native  land  in  quest  of  the 
best  instructers  i  and  the  information  given  him  by 
the  intelligent  persons  with  whom  he  conversed,^ 
very  soon  determined  the  question  in  favour  of  the 
U?iiversity  of  Utrecht.  The  universities  of  Leyden 
and  Groningen  had  a  high  reputation  j  but  the  pre- 
eminence in  public  opinion,  he  found,  belonged  to 
the  one  at  Utrecht.  Here  was  a  man  who,  in  the 
department  of  theology,  had  no  compeer  in  the 
country — Professor  G.  Bonnet.  For  piety,  elo- 
quence, and  learning,  he  was  decidedly  the  most 


HIS    THEOLOGICAL  STUDIES.  125 

distinguished  professor  in  Holland ;  and,  when  Mr„ 
Livingston  became  satisfied  of  the  fact,  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  fix  upon  Utrecht  as  the  place  of  his 
future  residence. 

In  all  the  Universities  of  Holland,  it  is  customary 
to  have  a  long  vacation  (from  May  to  October), 
and  it  being  now  the  season  of  the  vacation,  he 
did  not  proceed  immediately  to  the  University,  but 
tarried  a  few  weeks  in  Amsterdam,  cultivating  an 
acquaintance  with  a  number  of  godly  persons. 
The  time  was  well  spent.  He  was  introduced 
into  just  such  society  as  suited  his  taste — that  of 
warm-hearted  and  intelhgent  Christians,  and  he 
derived  from  it  important  spiritual  benefit.  These 
strangers  proved,  indeed,  helpers  of  his  faith  and  joy. 
They  received  him  with  much  Christian  frankness 
and  love,  and  their  conversation  was  pleasing, 
spiritual,  and  instructive.- — But  it  will  readily  be 
supposed  that,  unaccustomed  to  speak  the  lan- 
guage, he  would  be  unable  to  maintain  a  conversa- 
tion in  it.  This  was  the  fact  at  first.  He  had  a 
friend,  however,  who  could  act  the  part  of  an  in- 
terpreter, that  accompanied  him  in  his  visits  for  a 
while  ;  and  having  often  heard  the  Dutch  spoken 
in  America,  he  soon  acquired  a  knowledge  of  it 
sufficient  for  a  little  pious  discourse. 


12S  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

In  a  village  called  Tienhoven,  not  far  from  Am- 
sterdam, there  lived  a  venerable  servant  of  Christ, 
whose  name  was  tSchorelenburgh,  greatly  beloved, 
and  much  talked  of  as  a  person  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary experience  in  religion.  He  had  been  more 
than  fifty  years  the  minister  of  that  place,  and 
such  was  the  respect  in  which  his  character  was 
held  that,  from  far  and  near,  many  who  were  asking 
the  way  to  Zion,  or  walking  in  spiritual  darkness,* 
came  to  him  for  counsel. 

Mr.  Livingston  had  a  great  desire  to  see  this 
aged  and  celebrated  disciple ;  and,  one  day,  Mr. 
Frans  Van  Haerlingen,  the  interpreting  friend  allu- 
ded to,  went  with  him  to  Tienhoven,  and  introduced 
him  to  Mr.  Schorelenburgh. — He  was  highly  grati- 
fied with  the  excursion. — The  judicious,  agreeable, 
and  affectionate  conversation  of  the  matured  saint, 
Avho  seemed  prepared  to  depart  at  any  moment, 
*'  with  hands  fastened  on  the  skies,  "  had  a  happy 
influence  upon  his  mind,  and  he  left  him  with  min- 
gled emotions  of  veneration  and  love,  feeling  that 
he  had  found  a  father,  to  whom  in  seasons  of  gloom 
and  dejection  he  could  freely  repair  for  advice  and 
comfort. 

At  a  suitable  time,  he  went  to  Utrecht.  Upon 
his  arrival  here,  he  was  introduced  to  an  American 


HIS    THEOLOGICAL  STUDIES  121^ 

gentleman,  Mr.  Henry  Peterson,  an  established 
and  respectable  merchant  of  the  city,  who  politely 
invited  him  to  his  house,  and  hospitably  entertained 
him  until  he  could  provide  himself  with  convenient 
lodgings. 

Professor  Bo?in€tg3Lve  him  a  very  friendly  recep- 
tion. This  distinguished  person,  with  official  dig- 
nity, appears  to  have  united  great  suavity  of  man- 
ners ;  and  his  deportment  to  the  young  stranger 
was  so  condescending,  so  kind,  so  paternal,  that 
it  excited  in  him  much  filial  affection  and  confi- 
dence. 

Mr.  Livingston  regarded  his  professor  as  a  shi- 
cere  friend,  which  he  truly  was ;  and,  having  such 
a  friend  to  consult,  he  evinced,  at  the  very  com- 
mencement of  his  university  career,  a  prudence 
that  is  rarely  met  with  in  a  youth  but  twenty  years 
of  age.  He  would  form  no  intimacies ; — nay,  he 
carefully  avoided  all  advances  made  to  him  for  ac- 
quaintance, until  he  had  the  advice  of  the  Profes- 
sor, or  knew  from  him  the  character  of  the  persons 
who  sought  his  company.  This  was  a  wise  pre- 
caution. It  had  the  effect  which  he  desired  it  should 
have.  It  kept  him  a  stranger  to  those  whose  com- 
panionship could  not  fail  to  injure  the  character  oi 
a  stranger ;  and  it  was  the  means  of  leading  iiin> 


128  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

into  some  of  the  most  respectable  society,  both  ol 
the  city  and  of  the  university.  The  prudence  dis- 
covered in  this  fact,  constituted  in  after-hfe,  as  all 
who  knew  him  will  acknowledge,  one  of  his  most 
prominent  characteristics. 

While  he  was  preparing  to  attend  the  lectures  of 
the  approaching  session,  a  circumstance  occurred, 
which,  as  it  shows  how  the  steps  of  a  good  man  are 
ordered  by  the  Lord,  and  how  the  smallest  inci- 
dents, though  deemed  scarce  worthy  of  notice  when 
they  happen,  are  often  subsequently,  under  the  Di- 
vine blessing,  connected  with  the  richest  and  hap> 
piest  experience  of  the  Christian,  nmst  not  be 
omitted. 

During  his  voyage  and  stay  in  Amsterdam,  Mr. 
Livingston  had  enjoyed  a  very  comfortable  frame 
of  mind.  His  spiritual  exercises  had  been  lively 
and  pleasant,  and  he  had  cherished  a  confident 
hope  that  the  Lord  would  preserve  his  health,  and 
enable  him  to  pui  sue,  with  vigor  and  diligence,  the 
studies  upon  which  he  designed  to  enter.  But,  a 
short  time  previous  to  the  commencement  of  the 
lectures,  he  became  much  dejected,  owing  to  the 
return,  with  some  severity,  of  the  old  pain  in  his 
breast.  Finding  himself  again  afflicted  with  a  com- 
})laint,  which  had  once  menaced  him  with  an  early 


HIS    THEOLOGICAL    STUDIES.  129 

death,  and,  apprehending  its  continuance,  he  be- 
gan to  think  that  he  would  be  compelled  to  aban- 
don his  object,  and  to  feel  very  sensibly  the  loneli- 
ness of  his  situation,  in  the  midst  of  strangers.  The 
depression  of  his  spirits  in  consequence  was  very 
great ;  and  that  he  might  open  his  heart  to  a  friend,^ 
who  would  probably  say  something  to  comfort  him, 
he  determined  to  make  another  visit  to  the  vener- 
able Schorelenburgh.  Accordingly,  he  rode  one 
day  to  Tienhoven.  Soon  after  he  had  entered  the 
good  man's  dwelling,  and  the  usual  salutations  had 
passed  between  them,  Mrs.  Schorelenburgh,  who 
was  truly  a  mother  in  Israel,  with  an  air  that  show* 
ed  much  affectionate  solicitude,  made  some  inqui- 
ries concerning  the  state  of  his  health.  He  told 
her,  in  reply,  that  "he  was  in  constant  pain  in  his 
breast,  with  much  weakness  and  dejection  of  spi- 
rits, and  that  he  feared  he  had  come  three  thou- 
sand miles  from  home  in  vain."  Upon  hearing 
this,  the  old  lady  rejoined,  in  a  few  pious  and  ap- 
propriate remarks,  and  then  to  close,  giving  him  as 
she  spoke  a  very  earnest  and  impressive  look,  she 
said, — "  Do  you  not  know  that  your  Lord  Jesus  is 
the  physician  of  the  body  as  well  as  of  the  soul  ? 
Apply  to  him.  Bring  your  body  to  him  in  prayer, 
and  pray  that  he  will  heal  you."  He  heard  her 
with  respectful  attention,  of  course ;  but  there  was 
Bothing  very  striking  at  the  moment  in  her  couiv 


130  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING  TO 

sel.  It,  however,  left  an  impression  upon  his  mind ; 
and  such,  in  a  little  while,  were  his  exercises  under 
its  influence,  that  he  found  it  necessary  to  take  a 
premature  leave  of  the  excellent  couple,  and  hasten 
back  to  Utrecht.  As  soon  as  he  had  returned, 
he  entered  into  his  closet,  and  approached  the 
Throne  of  Grace.  It  was  a  solemn  hour  with  him. 
The  wrestUngs  of  his  soul  with  the  Lord  were  pe- 
culiarly lively  and  strong,  blended  with  the  exercise 
of  a  good  degree  of  fihal  confidence.  He  felt  that 
he  prayed  in  faith  for  the  Lord  to  heal  him ;  and 
when  he  retired  from  the  Throne,  he  had  a  com- 
fortable persuasion  that  his  prayer  was  heard. 
"Nay,"  he  says  in  his  own  recital  of  the  interview, 
and  of  what  followed  it,  "1  believed  that  I  was 
then  healed,  and  my  confidence  was  so  strong, 
that  I  wrote  immediately  in  the  journal  I  kept, 
that  my  God  had  granted  me  my  petition,  and 
that  I  was  actually  healed,  and  would  never  be 
prevented  by  that  pain  in  my  breast,  from  prose- 
cuting my  studies,  or  proceeding  in  my  public 
work.  And  it  has  been  so.  To  the  praise  of  his 
truth,  his  grace,  and  his  power,  I  record  that  he  is 
the  healer  of  the  body  as  well  as  of  the  soul.  He 
is  the  hearer  of  prayer." 

About  the  same  time,  he  received  a  letter  from  a 


THE    CHURCH    OF    NEW-YORK.  131 

much  respected  friend  *  in  the  city  of  New-York, 
detailing  the  proceedings  which  had  taken  place 
within  the  last  year,  relative  to  the  introduction  of 
EngHsh  preacliing  ; — and  leaving  him  to  complete 
his  arrangements  for  a  university-Ufe,  the  writer, 
presuming  that  no  apology  can  be  required  for  such 
an  interruption  of  the  tenor  of  the  biography, — 
will  conclude  the  present  chapter  with  a  brief 
account  of  the  progress  and  termination  of  the  con- 
troversy upon  that  subject. — The  controversy 
between  the  Ccetus  and  Conferentie  parties  will 
also  be  again  noticed  in  another  place. 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  a  law-suit  was  com- 
menced against  the  Consistory  of  the  Church  of 
New- York,  for  rejecting  the  vote  of  a  member  of  the 
Church  at  a  consistorial  election,  held  Oct.  1763, 
or  rather  for  refusing  to  receive  his  suffrage. — This 
suit  was  undetermined  yet  in  October,  1766. 

At  the  request  of  some  neutral  members  of  the 
Church,  as  a  report  was  in  circulation  that  the 
Dutch  party  had  proposed,  but  without  success, 
terms  of  reconcihation,  which,  however,  had  no 
foundation  in  truth,  the  Consistory  met  about  the 
beginning  of  the  month  to  consider  whether  any, 


*  Abraham  Lott,  Esq. 


132  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING    TO 

and  if  any,  what  means  beyond  those  they  had 
already  tried,  could  be  adopted  to  restore  peace  in 
the  congregation.  The  result  of  the  meeting  was, 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  propose  to  Mr. 
H — ,  the  person  who  had  sued  the  Consistory,  an 
amicable  settlement  of  the  pending  litigation. 
This  proposal  was  not  accepted.  He  said,  "  the 
Church  must  be  all  Dutch,  and  not  EngUsh : "  and 
when  asked  what  would  become  of  the  children 
who  were  unacquainted  with  the  Dutch  language, 
replied,  '*  that  they  might  go  to  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, or  any  where  else."  Failing  in  this  overture, 
the  Consistory  authorized  two  of  their  body  to  have 
an  interview  with  Mr.  Lefferts,  an  aged  person 
highly  respected  by  both  parties  and  considered  a 
neutral  in  the  dispute,  to  inquire  if  he  thought  an 
accommodation  could  be  effected,  and  assuring  him 
of  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Consistory  to  do  all  in 
their  power  towards  one,  to  request  him  to  consult 
the  leaders  of  the  Dutch  party  upon  the  subject. — 
The  request  was  made,  and  compUed  with  ;  and  it 
was  understood  that  the  party  wished  for  a  com- 
position of  the  difference  ;  but,  upon  inquiry,  it  was 
found  that  they  had  fixed  upon  terms  as  the  basis 
of  a  reconciliation  which  were  wholly  inadmissible. 
The  terms  were  substantially  these :  that  they 
should  have  the  government  of  the  old  Church,  and 
retain  all  the  property  belonging  to  it ;  that  the 


THE    CHURCH   OF    NEW-YORK.  133 

English  preacher  should  not  be  present  at  any  of 
the  meetmgs  of  then"  Consistory  ;  that  their  Consis- 
tory should  be  a  distinct  body,  with  whose  disci- 
pline and  other  matters,  the  Consistory  of  the  New 
Church  should  have  no  right  to  interfere,  and  in 
whose  election  all  those  that  communed  with  the 
Enghsh  partyj  should  have  no  voice  ;  that  there 
should  be  Enghsh  preaching  but  once  on  the  Sab- 
bath in  the  New  Church ;  and,  moreover,  that  when 
Dutch  was  preached  in  that  house,  the  Dutch  Con- 
sistory shoidd  occupy  the  pews  appropriated  to  the 
elders  and  deacons. 

These  propositions  were  considered  unfair  and 
humiUating.  They  were  calculated,  it  was  sup- 
posed, if  acceded  to,  to  produce  a  separation  of 
the  Churches ;  or,  rather,  to  effect  ultimately  the 
entire  exclusion  of  Dr.  Laidhe  and  the  English 
service  from  the  Dutch  Church.  And  it  was  obvi- 
ous, that  their  acceptance  would  at  once  give  to  the 
party  greater  advantages  than  they  could  possibly 
acquire  by  gaining  theu'  suit  in  law,  allowing  it 
should  be  decided  ui  their  favour ;  for,  in  that  case, 
they  would  acquire  only  the  right  of  voting  indivi- 
dually, if  members  in  full  communion,  for  the  offi- 
cers of  the  Church ;  and  being,  with  respect  to  such 
members,  much  weaker  than  the  English  party, 
the  exercise  of  the  right  would  avail  nothing  in 


134  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING    TO 

reality.  As  the  day  for  the  election  drew  near, 
that  they  might  then  come  forth  in  all  their  strength, 
in  support  of  their  favourite  principle,  or  to  claim 
the  right  in  question,  they  industriously  circulated 
a  paper  for  subscription,  which  was  so  drawn  up 
as  to  obligate  every  signer  to  appear  upon  the  occa- 
sion, to  make  a  tender  of  his  vote,  and  if  that  vote 
should  be  refused,  immediately  to  seek  redress  in 
a  court  of  law. 

To  defeat  the  purpose  of  this  compact,  which 
was  to  change  finally  the  mode  of  election,  another 
paper  addressed  to  the  Consistory,  and  praying 
them  to  adhere  to  the  ancient  practice  of  the 
Church,  in  the  choice  of  their  successors,  was  speed- 
ily prepared  and  handed  about  for  signature.  This 
petition  was  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  communi- 
cants of  the  church.  It  was  in  the  following  words : 

''  To  the  Rev.  and  Worthy  Consistory  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  the 
city  of  JVeiv-York. 

"  The  Petition  and  humble  Request  of  us  the  un- 
derwritten, communicants  of  the  said  Church,  shew- 
eth, — That  the  Petitioners  have  been  credibly  in- 
formed that  several  of  the  communicants  of  the  said 
church  intend,  on  the  day  appointed  by  the  Charter 


THE    CHURCH   OF  NEW-YORK.  135 

of  the  said  church  for  electing  Elders,  Deacons,  and 
Church-masters,  to  come  and  vote  for  Elders,  Dea- 
cons, and  Church-masters,  contrary  to  the  old  inva- 
riable usage  and  custom  of  the  said  Church,  before- 
and  since  obtaining  the  said  charter :  That  we  judge 
an  election  by  the  communicants  as  an  infringement 
on  the  constitution  of  our  church,  and  tending  to 
raise  heats,  controversies,  and  animosities  among 
the  members  thereof,  contrary  to  that  love  and  es- 
teem which  ought  to  subsist  among  the  professors 
of  Christianity.  Our  earnest  request  and  desire 
therefore  is,  that  the  Reverend  and  Worthy  Con- 
sistory will  by  no  means  deviate  from  the  old  con- 
stitutional method  of  electing  Elders,  Deacons,  and 
Church-masters,  but  proceed  therein  as  usual,  not- 
withstanding any  attempt  contrary  thereto,  and  we 
do  hereby  promise  and  engage  personally  to  attend 
on  the  day  aforesaid,  at  the  old  Dutch  Church,  there 
to  agree  to  the  election,  nomination  and  appoint- 
ment, that  shall  be  made  by  you,  according  to  the 
usage  and  constitution  aforesaid.  We  pray  God  to 
heal  the  unhappy  breach  in  our  church ;  and  are, 
with  great  esteem,  &c." 

The  promise  to  attend  and  approve  of  the  choice 
of  the  Consistory  was  made  to  leave  their  oppo- 
nents no  room  to  cavil — to  bar  all  possibilty  of  ex- 
ception. 


136  CIRCUMSTANCES   RELATING    TO 

In  the  hope  that  the  controversy  might  yet  be 
settled  in  a  friendly  way  before  the  election,  the 
Consistory  adopted  a  paper,  containing  what  were 
very  justly  styled  Articles  of  Peace,  which  was 
submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  Great  Con- 
sistory ;  and,  being  approved  by  that  body,  was 
put  into  the  hands  of  the  neutral  father  aforemen- 
tioned, (Mr.  Abraham  LefTerts,)  to  be  by  him  laid 
before  the  Dutch  party.  Overtures  so  liberal  as 
those  now  made,  it  was  hardly  to  be  supposed 
could  fail  of  restoring  peace.  The  preliminary  ar- 
ticle required  that  Dr.  Laidlie  should  be  treated  as 
one  of  the  ministers  of  the  Dutch  Church,  or  be 
received  into  the  fellowship  and  communion  of  the 
Church.  Then  followed  an  offer  to  pay  the  whole 
of  the  Doctor's  salary  by  contributions  from  the 
Enghsh  party;  an  offer  to  bind  themselves  and 
their  successors  to  use,  neither  directly  nor  indirect- 
ly, any  property  which  had  been  given  for  the 
support  of  the  Dutch  ministers,  to  maintain  the 
Enghsh  service ;  an  offer  so  to  form  the  Consistory 
that  the  two  parties  should,  in  point  of  numbers,  be 
equally  represented  in  it — or,  in  other  words,  to 
choose  out  of  twice  the  number  of  each  class  to  be 
nominated  by  the  Dutch  party,  four  Elders,  four 
Deacons,  and  two  Church-masters,  who,  with  the 
two  Dutch  ministers,  would  make  its  numeral  re- 
presentation the  same  as  that  of  the  English  party. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  J^fEW-YORK.  137 

And  but  two  very  reasonable  requests  were  made, 
besides  the  one  already  mentioned,  to  wit :  that 
there  should  be  a  morning  and  evening  service  in 
the  English  language,  in  the  New  Church,  every 
Sabbath ;  and  that  the  suit  in  law  should  be  aban- 
doned.* These  generous  overtures,  however, 
were  rejected. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  the  month,  one  day  previous 
to  that  of  the  election,  the  Consistory  was  informed 
that  the  Dutch  party  had  deputed  certain  persons 
to  make  some  proposals,  and  a  committee  was  ac- 
cordingly appointed  to  have  an  interview  with  these 
deputies.  The  interview  took  place  in  the  even- 
ing of  the  same  day,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Gelyn 
Van  Gelder ;  but  the  proposals,  which,  from  the 
circumstance  of  their  being  ten  in  number,  as  also 

*  The  paper  contained  three  or  four  articles  more,  of  minor 
importance,  but  of  an  equally  pacific  character  with  those  stated 
above ;  and  the  writer  would  observe  further  here,  that,  as  all  the 
propositions  that  passed  between  the  parties,  are  given  in  Dutch, 
in  Mr.  Lett's  letter,  to  obtain  the  sense  of  them,  he  has  availed 
himself  of  the  kindness  of  two  worthy  friends,  well  acquainted  with 
the  language.  He  trusts  there  is  no  material  omission  or  inaccu- 
racy in  the  representation  he  has  made  ;  and  of  the  contents  of 
any  Dutch  papers  which  he  shall  have  occasion  to  use  hereafter, 
or  of  so  much  of  them  as  will  be  necessary  to  his  immediate  pur- 
pose, it  will  be  his  endeavour,  with  the  assistance  of  the  friend? 
referred  to,  to  present  a  fair  account, 

1« 


138  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

from  the  air  of  authority  running  through  them, 
were  afterwards  pleasantly  called  by  the  other 
party  "  Ten  Commandments,^^  as  they  contained 
offensive  insinuations,  as  well  as  unreasonable  de- 
mands, tended  rather  to  widen  than  to  heal  the 
breach.  The  deputies  were  informed  the  next 
day,  that  the  Consistory  could  not  agree  to  them. 

Before  the  hour  fixed  for  the  important  contest 
had  arrived,  nearly  all  the  communicants,  of  both 
parties,  were  assembled  in  the  Old  Church,  with  a 
considerable  company  of  strangers,  or  persons  of 
other  denominations,  who  had  come,  as  they  said, 
"  to  behold  the  Dutchmen  quarrel  together." 

The  Consistory  now  made  yet  one  more  attempt 
to  produce  a  reconciliation.  They  tendered  anew 
the  "•Articles  of  Feace^''  and  endeavoured,  for  some 
time,  to  prevail  upon  their  opponents  to  accede 
to  them ;  but  their  efforts  proved  fruitless.  These 
misguided,  or  mis-judging  brethren,  were  inflexible 
to  the  last  moment.  After  the  election  was  over, 
the  names  of  those  who  would  constitute  the  new 
Consistory,  were  publicly  read,  and  (before  two 
notaries  pubhc,  present  by  request,  to  note  the 
transactions  of  the  day,)  the  members  of  the  church 
were  asked,  if  they  approved  of  the  choice  of  the 
Consistory,  and  of  continuing  the  old  mode  of  elec- 


THE  CHURCH  OF  NEW-YORK.  l.:^9 

tion  ;  and  a  majority  was  at  once  discovered,  in  fa- 
vour of  both,  of  more  than  one  hundred  and  thirty. 

This  was  a  signal  triumph ;  but  the  discomfitted 
party  were  still  very  unwilling  to  yield.  Chagrined 
at  the  result  of  this  proceeding,  which  completely 
precluded  the  opportunity  they  had  sought  and 
expected,  of  disputing  the  legality  of  the  election, 
and  of  suing  the  Consistory,  they  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  De  Ronde,  the  minister  that  presi- 
ded upon  the  occasion,  and  their  great  friend  and 
champion,*  a  paper  naming  certain  persons  for 
Elders,  Deacons,  and  Church-masters.  As  this 
paper  was  not  addressed  to  the  Consistory,  they,  of 
course,  paid  no  attention  to  it ;  but, after  their  busi- 
ness was  concluded,  the  rev.  gentleman  took 
notice  of  it,  and  invited  those  who  thought  they  had 
a  right  to  vote,  to  come  forth.  The  invitation,  how- 
ever, they  being  by  this  time  either  ashamed  of 
their  cause,  or  convinced  that  for  them  to  make 
any  election  would  only  expose  them  to  ridicule, 
was  not  obeyed.    No  one  offered  to  vote. 

The  important  law-suit,  it  was  now  expected, 

*  Mr.  De  Ronde  pursued  a  course  of  conduct  throughout  the 
controversy  which  was  much  blamed,  and  made  him  many  ene- 
mies. His  colleague,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema,  was  more  pru- 
dent, and  uniformly  acted  as  the  friend  of  the  English  party. 


140  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

would  be  shortly  decided ;  and  the  appellant  in  the 
matter,  with  his  friends,  confident  of  gaining  iU 
judged  it  necessary  to  present,  in  season,  a  protest 
against  the  late  election,  supposing  probably  that 
this  measure  would  put  it  in  their  power  to  set  the 
same  entirely  aside,  as  soon  as  the  decision  antici- 
pated should  be  obtained.  Before,  therefore,  the 
Elders,  Deacons,  and  Church-masters  elect,  were 
inducted  into  their  respective  offices — that  is,  on 
the  Friday  immediately  preceding  the  Sabbath  ap- 
pointed for  the  performance  of  the  ceremony,  they 
laid  before  the  Consistory  a  paper  called  a  Protest, 
and  superscribed  to  the  Unlawful  Consistory,  in 
which  they  declared  that  the  election  had  been 
conducted  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,  to  the 
Charter,  and  to  Church  Orders*  This  paper  was 
treated  with  the  contempt  it  deserved ;  and  the 
very  next  day,  to  the  no  little  mortification  of  the 
whole  Dutch  party,  the  suit  was  determined  in  fa- 
vour of  the  Consistory. ];    A  determination  so  un- 

*  The  protesters  were  "  Abel  Hardenbrook,  William  Elsworth, 
Teunis  Tiebout,  Johannis  Hardenbrook,  Henderecus  Brevoort." 

t  Three  of  the  judges,  Messrs.  Jones,  Smith,  and  Livingston, 
Avere  in  favour  of  the  Consistory;  one,  Mr.  Horsmanden,  was  in 
favour  of  Mr.  Hardenbrook.  The  reader  will  probably  be  grati- 
fied to  see  an  abstract  of  this  important  trial.  It  is  given  from  a 
copy  which  was  made  and  duly  authenticated,  for  the  use  of  the 


THE  CHURCH  OF  NEW-YORK.  141 

looked  for,  and  obliging  the  plaintiff  to  pay  costs 
to  the  amount  of  about  three  hundred  pounds, '  as 
will  readil}'^  be  supposed,  very  soon  allayed  the 

late  Dr.  Westerlo,  of  Albany,  and  his  Consistory.  Mr  Theodore 
Van  Wyck,  of  New- York,  the  gentleman  who  procured  the  copy 
for  Dr.  W.  observes  in  the  letter  which  accompanied  it,  that  the 
arguments  or  pleadings  in  the  cause  occupy  no  less  than  forty- 
eight  pages,  (folio)  written  in  a  small  hand.  The  counsel  for 
the  plaintiff,  were  the  King's  attorney,  Mr.  Duane  and  Mr.  Kis- 
sam  ; — and  *'  the  chief  of  their  arguments  was,  that  the  members 
had  a  right  to  vote  by"  the  "  Charter,  and  that,  in  depriving  them 
of  that  privilege,  the  Consistory  had  forfeited  their  Charter." — 
The  counsel  for  the  defendants,  were  William  Smith,  Whitehead 
Hicks,  William  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Scott,  whose  "arguments 
run  upon  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  and  the  invariable  way 
of  choosing  Elders  and  Deacons.  They  proved  by  several  emi- 
nent authorities,  that  if  even  a  people  had  had  a  right  to  elect  offi- 
cers by  virtue  of  a  Charter,  ******  by  suffering  such  officers 
by  themselves  to  elect  others  for  a  long  time,  that  the  said  people 
had  forfeited  and  lost  their  right  of  voting.  They  likewise  pro- 
ved, that  in  such  a  case  the  law  supposed  there  might  have  been 
By-Laws  made  with  consent  of  the  people,  to  invest  the  election 
only  in  the  Corporation,  which  law  might  be  lost  or  forgot ;  but, 
in  either  case,  the  people,  by  not  annually  attending  the  election, 
lost  their  privilege." 

"  Mstracts  of  the  Trial  between  Mel  Hardenbrook,  plaintiff, 
(in  behalf  oj  the  Dutch  party  so  called,)  and  the  Elders  and 
Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  oJ  the 
city  of  JSTew-York,  defendants,  commenced  upon  the  said 
Elders  and  Deacons  refusing  the  other  members  of  the  said 
Church^^  a  "vote  for  Church  officers. 


142  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

zeal  for  continuing  the  quarrel  in  a  court  of  justice  / 
and  it  did  more ; — it  went  far  to  subdue  the  quarrel 
itself.    Those  who  had  been  most  averse  to  the 

"  Supreme  Court  in  the  city  of  New- York, 
"  April  Term,  Friday  26,  1765. 

"  At  eleven  of  the  clock  in  the  morning  came  on  the  trial  of  Abel 
Hardenbrook,  plaintiff,  against  John  Bogert,  Esq.  and  others,  de- 
fendants, when  the  following  jury,  out  of  the  panel  which  was 
struck  the  19th  inst,  appeared  upon  call,  and  were  sworn  to  try 
the  cause,  viz: — 

Samuel  Verplanck,  Thomas  White, 

John  Stan*^  Cruger,  John  Shoals, 

David  Clarkson,  WilUam  Bedlow, 

Robert  Griffen,  John  Provoost,  Esq. 

Lawrence  Kortright,  Lewis  Paintard, 

Beverly  Robinson,  Walter  Rutherford. 

"After  a  triaJ  of  twenty-one  hours,  in  the  course  of  which  many 
evidences  were  examined,  the  judge  gave  the  following  charge," 
(omitted)  "  to  the  jury,  to  bring  in  a  special  verdict  upon  matters 
of  law,  to  be  determined  by  solid  argument  before  the  court,  but 
recommended  to  find  three  matters  of  fact  upon  evidence,  viz  :— 

"  1st.  That  the  plaintiff  had  made  a  lawful  demand  of  his  vote 
by  Jacobus  Stoutenburg. 

"  2d.  That  the  majority  of  the  members  assembled  on  that 
day,  appeared  to  have  been  on  the  side  of  the  plaintiff  to  vote, 

"  3d.  That  the  minister  of  the  Dutch  Church  had  a  vote  in  the 
election  for  Elders  and  Deacons, 


THE  CHURCH    OP   NEW- YORK.  i4S 

authority  and  measures  of  the  Consistory,  gradu- 
ally became  more  tame,  while  the  Consistory,  on 
the  other  hand,  showed  a  kind,  conciliatory  spirit, 

"  All  which  the  said  jury  brought  in  accordingly,  as  will  appeal 
by  the  following  notes,  which  are  exactly  transcribed  from  a  copy 
of  Mr.  Bangor,  taken  from  the  original  verdict  of  the  jury. 

"  JVeto-York  Supreme  Court. 

"  Abel  Hardenbrook  against        )  at  ^       c         •  i       j    ^ 
John  Bogert,  jun.  Esq.  aSd  others.  J  ^°*^^  °^  ^P^^'^^  ■^®»^'^*' 

"  The  jurors  upon  their  oath,  on  the  trial  of  the  issue  aforesaid, 
do  find — 

"  1st.  That  King  William  the  Third,  by  his  letters  patent,  un- 
der the  great  seal  of  the  province  of  New- York,  bearing  date  the 
11th  May,  in  the  eighth  year  of  his  said  Majesty's  reign,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1696,  did  grant  unto  the  Minister,  Elders,  and 
Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  the  city 
of  New- York — prout : 

"2d.  That  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  the  Council,  and  Gene- 
ral Assembly  of  the  province  of  New- York,  by  a  certain  act 
made  and  passed  the  12th  of  December,  1753,  entitled  an  act  to 
enable  the  Minister,  tlders,  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Pro- 
testant Dutch  Church  of  the  city  of  New- York,  to  sell  and  dis- 
pose of  their  lands,  tenements,  and  hereditaments,  in  the  county 
of  West  Chester,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Manor  of  Fordham,  and  also  for  granting  unto  them  some  farther 
liberties  and  privileges  for  the  better  management  of  their  affairs, 
and  the  well  ordering  of  their  said  church,  did  enact— prout : 


144  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING  TO 

conceding  all  that  could  be  reasonably  asked ;  and 
the  Church,  which  had  been  for  a  long  time  a  spec- 
tacle to  surrounding  denominations,  put  on  conse- 

"  3d.  That  his  late  Majesty  King  George  the  Second,  by  his 
confirmation  under  seal,  dated  25th  February,  1755,  did  confirm 
the  said  act — prout : 

"4th.  That  the  defendants  were  the  major  part  of  the  Elders 
and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  in  the  city  of  New- York,  on  the 
third  Thursday  of  October,  1763,  one  of  the  days  of  election  of 
Elders  and  Deacons  appointed  by  the  said  charter,  and  so,  being 
Elders  and  Deacons,  on  that  day  were  assembled  at  the  said 
Church  to  proceed  to  an  election  of  Elders  and  Deacons  for  the 
said  Church  for  the  then  ensuing  year, 

"  5th.  That  the  plaintiff,  on  the  said  Thursday  of  October, 
1763,  and  long  before,  was  a  member  of  the  said  Church  and  Cor- 
poration, duly  admitted,  and  also  a  member  in  communion  of  the 
said  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  and  an  inhabitant  of  the 
said  city  of  New- York  ;  and  so  being  a  member  and  inhabitant, 
did  on  the  same  day  personally  attend  at  the  said  Church,  before  the 
election,  nomination,  or  appointment;  did  then  and  there  demand 
and  require  of  the  defendants  to  permit  him,  the  said  plaintiff",  to 
give  his  voice  for  electing  Elders  and  Deacons  for  the  said  Church 
for  the  ensuing  year,  to  be  chosen. pursuant  to  the  said  charter. 

"  6th.  That  the  said  defendants  did  then  and  there,  upon  such 
demand  and  requests  so  made,  refuse  to  take,  receive  or  allow 
the  voice  of  the  plaintiff'  to  be  given,  and  did  then  and  there  pre- 
vent, obstruct,  and  hinder  the  plaintiflf  from  giving  his  vote  at  the 
said  election,  for  the  electing,  nominating,  or  appointing  the  Eld- 


THE    CHURCH   OF    NEW-YORK.  146 

quently,  at  length,  a  more  pleasing  and  inviting 
appearance. 

ers  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  for  the  year  ensuing,  or  any 
of  them. 

"  7th.  That  the  said  defendants  did,  then  and  there  elect,  no- 
minate, and  appoint  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  for 
the  year  ensuing,  the  plaintiff  being  present  at  the  said  Church, 
without  taking  the  plaintiff's  vote  in  the  said  election,  and  without 
previously,  or  at  any  time  that  day,  proposing  or  naming  to  the 
members  or  the  plaintiff  attending  at  the  election,  the  persons 
nominated  by  the  defendants  for  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said 
Church  for  the  ensuing  year. 

"  8th.  That  of  the  members  in  communion  of  the  said  Church, 
and  inhabitants  within  the  said  city,  then  and  there  attending  ar 
the  said  Churchy  the  majority  attended  to  give  their  voices  as  mem- 
bers for  electing  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  for 
the  ensuing  year."  [The  reason  of  this  was,  that  the  members, 
on  the  side  of  the  Consistory,  did  not  theii  attend  in  a  body  as  they 
did  the  following  year,  to  approve  of  the  election.] 

"  9th.  That  the  Dutch  Churches  in  Holland  are  governed  by 
the  rules  established  in  the  national  Synod  of  Dort,  held  in  1618 
and  1619. 

"  10th.  That  the  said  Synod  of  Dort,  by  the  22d  article  of  the 
said  rules,  did  establish — prout : 

"  1 1th.  That  the  said  Synod  of  Dort  did  at  the  same  time  esta- 
blish the  national  rule  or  confession  of  faith,  the  31st  article 
whereof  is— prout : 

19 


14(>  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING  TO 

That  the  reader  may  know  what  confidence  was 
to  be  placed  in  the  Communication,  from  which  the 
facts  presented  in  the  foregoing  statement  have 

*'  12th.  That  the  usage  of  the  Dutch  Churches  in  Holland 
respecting  "elections  of  Elders  and  Deacons  has  long  been  for  the 
Elders  and  Deacons,  and  every  Minister  present  at  their  election, 
to  elect  their  officers  by  the  majority  of  their  voices,  without  the 
vote  of  the  other  members ;  and  not  to  propose  the  persons  to  be 
elected  Elders  and  Deacons  to  the  members  of  the  Churches  res- 
pectively before,  nor  at  the  time  of  the  election,  nor  until  the 
Sunday  next  following  such  election,  when  it  is  the  usage  to  pub- 
lish their  names  to  the  respective  congregations,  and  on  the  two 
next  succeeding  Sundays ; — each  Sunday  calling  on  the  people 
to  object  against  their  being  admitted  and  confirmed,  if  they  have 
cause ;  and  the  usage  also  is,  that  if  any  good  objection  be  made 
and  supported,  the  Elders  and  Deacons  so  objected  to,  are  not 
admitted  to  the  office ;  but  the  Consistory  judge  of  the  validity 
of  the  objections,  and  if  they  conceive  them  sufficient,  proceed 
to  a  new  election. 

"  13th.  That  if  no  objections  be  made  by  the  members,  by  the 
ihird  Sunday  after  the  elections,  the  Elders  and  Deacons  so  cho- 
sen, are  confirmed  in  and  admitted  to  their  respective  offices,  and 
that  they  are  not  Elders  and  Deacons  until  such  confirmation  and 
admission. 

"  14th.  That  the  usage  and  practice  with  regard  to  the  propo- 
siing,  confirmation,  and  admission,  objecting  against  and  setting 
aside  of  Elders  and  Deacons  respectively,  in  the  said  Dutch 
Church  at  New-York,  has  hitherto  been  conformable  to  the  usage 
and  practice  of  the  Churches  of  Holland  last  mentioned,  and  that 


THE   CHURCH   OF  NEW- YORK  147 

been  taken,  the  following  brief  extract  from  a  letter 
of  Dr.  Laidlie  to  Mr.  Livingston,  dated  November 
3d,  is  inserted  for  his  perusal : 

the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  in  New- York,  agree- 
able to  the  regulations  of  the  Churches  of  Holland  above-mention- 
ed, are  not  admitted  to  their  respective  offices  until  such  propo- 
sal, made  for  three  successive  Sundays  after  their  election,  and 
confirmation  thereupon. 

"  15th.  That  this  province  was  conquered  by  the  Dutch,  and 
afterwards,  in ,  was  yielded  by  treaty  to  the  crown  of  Eng- 
land. 


"  John  Bogert,  jun.  and  others,  'i 
Ads.  Abel  Hardenbrook.      ) 

"And  the  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oath  aforesaid,  do  further 
say,  that  the  province  of  New- York  is  part  of  the  country  former- 
ly called  New  Netherlands,  and  was,  before  the  surrender  of  the 
same  to  the  crown  of  England,  subject  to  the  States  General  of 
the  United  Provinces  in  Europe,  and  was  settled  by  subjects  to 
the  States  General. 


"2d.  That  antecedent  to  the  said  surrender,  there  were 
Churches  in  the  said  province,  and  that  all  the  Churches  in  the 
same  were  supplied  with  ministers  from  the  United  Provinces  of 
the  national  established  Church  there,  sent  out  by  and  subject  to 
the  ecclesiastical  government  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

"3d.  That  the  Churches  of  the  national  establishment  of  the 
said  United  Provinces  in  Europe,  and  especially  those  within  the 
district  of  the  said  Classis,  have  always  had  a  succession  of  Elder* 


148  CIRCUMSTANCES   RELATING  TO 

"  Thanks  be  to  our  blessed  Lord,  for  all  that 
experience  he  has  given  you  of  his  love  and  faith- 
fulness.    Trust  in  him  at  all  times ;  none  that  trust 

and  Deacons,  chosen  from  time  to  time  by  the  majority  of  the 
Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Churches  respectively,  and  Minis- 
ters present,  without  the  voices  of  the  other  members  of  the  same 
churches. 

''  4th.  That  the  Dutch  Churches  in  this  country,  antecedent  to 
the  said  surrender,  were  governed  in  a  manner  conformable  to 
the  practice  and  usage  of  the  national  established  Churches  of  the 
United  Provinces  in  Europe,  and  the  offices  and  places  of  the 
Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  same  have  always  been,  upon  every 
vacancy  and  avoidance,  supplied  by  the  election,  nomination  and 
appointment  of  the  majority  of  the  Elders  and  Deacons  in  office, 
without  the  voices  of  the  other  members  of  the  same. 

"5th.  That  the  same  government,  usage,  and  practice,  was 
continued  from  the  said  surrender,  in  the  Dutch  Church  of  the 
city  of  New- York,  until  the  same  was  incorporated  by  the  letters 
patent  above-mentioned. 

"  6th.  That  for  above  sixty  years"past,  after  the  grant  of  the 
said  letters  patent  of  incorporation,  there  had  been  a  constant 
succession  of  Elders  and  Deacons  in  the  said  Church,  so  incorpo- 
rated, chosen  by  the  majority  of  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the 
same  Church  for  the  time  being,  without  the  voices  of  any  of  the 
other  members  of  the  same,  in  the  nomination  and  appointment 
of  Elders  and  Deacons. 

"  7th.  And  the  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oath  aforesaid,  do 
farther  find  the  articles  of  capitulation  at  the  surrender  of  this 
province  in  the  year  1664 — prout; 


THE   CHURCH   OF   NEW- YORK.  149 

in  Him  shall  be  ashamed.  I  am  truly  glad  you 
have  settled  at  Utrecht,  and  that  you  find  Professor 
Bonnet  a  gentleman  so  much  to  your  mind.     I  had 

"  8th.  And  the  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oath  aforesaid,  do 
farther  say,  that,  according  to  the  constitution  and  directions  of 
the  Reformed  Churches  in  Holland,  approved  and  instituted  by 
the  national  Synod  of  Dort,  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said 
Churches  do,  with  the  Ministers  present,  annually  nominate  and 
appoint  the  next  succeeding  Elders  and  Deacons,  without  the 
consent,  approbation,  voice  or  election,  of  any  of  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  said  Churches,  then  had  in  the  said  nomination  and 
appointment. 

"  9th.  And  the  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oath  aforesaid,  do 
farther  say,  that  the  plaintiff  in  this  action,  since  the  date  of  the 
said  charter,  has  been  nominated  and  appointed  three  several 
times  to  the  respective  offices  of  Elder  and  Deacon  of  the  said 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  the  city  of  New- York, 
by  the  then  present  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church,  with- 
out the  consent,  approbation,  voice,  or  election  of  any  of  the 
other  members  of  the  said  Church,  then  had  in  the  said  nomina- 
tion and  appointment,  which  respective  offices  he  did  accept  of, 
and  act  in  the  execution  of;  and  that  he  has,  since  the  date  of 
the  said  charter  or  letters  patent,  at  three  several  times  nomina- 
ted and  appointed,  together  with  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the 
said  church,  then  in  office  with  him,  and  without  such  consent, 
approbation,  voice  or  election  as  aforesaid  of  the  other  members 
of  the  said  church  to  succeed  in  said  respective  offices 

'•  10th.  And  the  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oath  aforesaid,  do 
farther  say,  that  it  was  the  practice,  usage,  and  custom  of  the 


150  CIRCUMSTANCES   RELATING  TO 

proceeded  far  in  another  letter  for  you,  and  begun 
an  historical  account  of  Church  affairs  since  you  left 

Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Churches  in  the  United  Netherlands, 
before  and  at  the  time  of  the  said  articles  of  surrender,  and  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in  the  said  letters  patent  of 
incorporation  mentioned,  ever  since  until  the  day  of  the  exhibi- 
tion of  the  plaintiff's  bill,  for  the  respective  Ministers  for  the 
time  being  of  the  said  Churches,  on  the  three  Sundays  next  suc- 
ceeding every  respective  nomination  and  appointment  of  the 
£]ders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  respective  Churches,  to  notify  and 
declare  such  nomination  and  appointment  to  the  severed  congre- 
gations in  which  the  said  Elders  and  Deacons  were  respectively 
nominated  and  appointed,  in  order  to  know  whether  any  of  the 
members  of  the  said  Churches  do  dissent  from  or  disapprove  of 
such  nomination  and  appointment,  and  in  default  of  such  dissent 
and  disapprobation,  to  set  apart,  confirm,  and  ordain  such  Elders 
and  Deacons  in  and  to  their  respective  offices. 

"  If  the  law  is  for  the  plaintiff,  we  find  for  the  plaintiff,  and 
five  pounds  ten  shillings  damages. 

"  If  the  law  is  for  the  defendants,  we  find  for  the  defendants. 
Filed  26th  April,  1765. 

New- York,  April  30ih,  1765. 
"  The  preceding,  wrote  on  eight  pages  in  folio,  is  a  true  copy 
of  the  original  special  verdict  given  in  the   cause — Abel 
Hardenbrook,  against  John  Bogert,  jun.  and  others. 

Examined  by  ■  . 

Signed — Geo.  Banyard,  D.  C.  C.  C." 
(Copy.) 


THE    CHURCH   OF  NEW-YORK.  151 

US ;  but  having  heard  that  this  was  the  province  of 
our  friend,  A.  Lott,  and  he  having  shown  me  a  very 
particular  journal  of  every  thing  worthy  your  hear- 
ing on  this  subject,  I  dropt  it.  But  I  cannot  omit 
calling  upon  you  to  bless  the  Lord  with  us,  and  to 
exalt  his  holy  name,  for  the  remarkable  interposi- 
tion of  his  kind  providence  in  the  behalf  of  his 
cause  and  people.  How  many  proofs  of  liis  being 
the  hearer  and  answerer  of  prayer." 

But  it  must  not  be  understood  from  any  thing 
said  above,  that  the  congregation  was  brought  at 
once  into  a  state  of  perfect  harmony  and  peace.  It 
was  not  to  be  expected  that  all  opposition  would 
instantly  cease ;  and  though  such  as  had  been  the 
most  openly  and  violently  hostile,  were  a  good  deal 
humbled  by  what  had  now  occurred,  yet  they  still 
cherished  a  vindictive  temper ;  and  having  failed  in 
law,  tried,  for  awhile,  other  means  of  annoying  the 
friends  of  English  preaching.  One  of  the  pitiful 
means  employed  for  the  purpose,  was  the  mvention 
and  circulation  of  httle  stories  tending  to  vilify  or 
injure  the  character  of  the  excellent  LaidUe :  and 
of  this  unworthy  conduct,  he  thus  speaks  in  another 
letter  to  Mr.  Livingston,  of  a  later  date  : — "  Not- 
withstanding, blessed  be  God,  I  have  of  late  felt 
more  of  that  comfortable  stayedness  of  trust  and 
establishment  of  heart,  than  I  ever  felt  before ;  and 


15^  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING  TO 

in  this,  I  observe  not  only  the  great  goodness  of 
my  Lord  and  Master  to  my  soul,  in  the  way  of  edi- 
fication or  upbuilding  in  the  divine  life ;  but  that 
this  fills  and  prepares  me  for  storms,  and  supports 
me  under  the  reproach  and  calumny  thrown  out 
against  me  on  every  side.  The  great  disappoint- 
ment the  Dutch  party  have  met  with,  instead  of 
reclaiming  them,  has  added  fury  to  their  rage  ; — 
they  think  to  revenge  themselves  upon  me,  though, 
by  their  own  confession,  I  am  not  the  cause ;  yet 
they  find  to  reproach  me  is  the  surest  way  to  vex 
my  friends,  who  are  so  kind  as  never  to  mention 
these  things  to  me,  though  all  with  whom  I  am 
obliged  to  converse  have  not  that  prudence,  so  that 
I  must  hear  many  a  spiteful  lie  But,  blessed  be 
God,  He  not  only  keeps  me  from  laying  things  to 
heart,  but  gives  a  meek,  humble,  forgiving  temper 
of  mind,  so  that  I  can  pray  for,  and  freely  forgive 
the  worst  of  my  enemies  among  men.  Though 
the  Dutch  party  have  now  entirely  given  over 
coming  to  Church  when  I  preach,  and  hear  only 
Mr.  De  Ronde,  whom  they  call  their  wettige  predi- 
kant^*  and  whom  I  have  reason  to  suspect  to  be  at 
the  bottom  of  their  obstinate  opposition  ; — though 
he  has  begun  of  late  to  speak  uncommonly  favour- 
able of  me  and  my  sermons  ; — though  said  party 


*  Laivjul  minister. 


TMi:    CHURCH    OF    NEW-iTORK.  1&6 

use  every  method  to  make  me  mieasy,  yet  Jesus 
makes  me  triumph,  and  enables  me  to  rest  in  Him, 
only  desiring  to  be  found  faithful — and  in  all  things 
to  approve  myself  to  him  in  well-doing.  I  have 
enlarged  too  much  on  this." 

In  spite  of  all  they  could  say  or  do,  Dr.  Laidlie 
was  beloved  and  useful,  and  the  Church  was  in  a 
prosperous  state ; — nay,  so  nmch  had  the  congre- 
gation increased  under  English  preaching,  that  it 
was  found  necessary  to  erect  another,  or  a  third 
place*  for  public  worship.  The  indications  evi- 
dent to  every  one,  and  daily  multiplying,  of  the 
popularity  and  utility,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  of 
the  change  which  had  been  effected,  served  only 
to  heighten  their  unfriendly  feelings ;  and  another 
expedient,  which  they  tried  to  regain  theii*  lost  influ- 
ence or  to  make  fresh  trouble,  was  the  presenta- 
tion before  the  Governor  and  Council  of  a  formal 
complaint  against  the  Consistory.  This  was  their 
dernier  resort :  but  here  their  expectations  were 
sadly  disappointed.  The  Governor  and  Council 
ordered  a  copy  of  the  complaint  to  be  given  to  the 
Consistory,  and  recommended  that  the  same  be 


*  By  a  letter  of  Mr.  Lott,  dated  Oct.  22,  1767,  this  building, 
(uow  called  the  North  Church,)  it  appears,  was  then  considerably 
advanced.  The  foundation  was  laid  probably  in  the  spring  of  th»- 
■same  year. 

m 


154  CIRCUMSTANCES    RELATING   TO 

answered.  An  answer  was,  accordingly,  prepared 
and  submitted ;  and  the  reader  may  learn  the  result 
of  this  affair  from  a  paragraph  in  another  of  Dr. 
Laidlie's  letters,  dated  December,  1767.  It  is  as 
follows  : — "  You  know  how  strangely  poor  Mr.  De 
Ronde  has  behaved  for  some  time  past.  He 
strongly  supported,  or  rather  has  kept  alive  the 
otherwise  dying  dissensions  in  our  congregation ; 
but  the  Dutch  party  having  brought  the  affair  be- 
fore the  Governor  and  Council,  and  the  Consistory 
being  desired  to  give  in  an  answer  to  several  com- 
plaints lodged  before  said  Board  by  the  Dutch 
party,  the  Consistory  accordingly  gave  in  an  an- 
swer, out  of  mere  complaisance ;  and  the  Gover- 
nor and  Council  decided  the  matter  by  declaring 
it  was  not  cognizable  by  them,  a  declaration  not 
very  honourable  for  the  Board  who  made  it,  and  by 
which  the  last  finishing  blow  was  given  to  all  the 
hopes  of  the  Dutch  party.  This  has  made  them 
all  very  calm." 

The  liberty  has  be^n  taken  to  present  the  pre- 
ceding extracts  from  the  private  letters  of  Dr. 
Laidlie  to  his  young  friend,  to  confirm  the  repre- 
sentation which  has  been  made  of  this  unhappy 
dispute.  The  truth  of  such  testimony  cannot  be 
questioned. 

The  dispute  was  now  settled.    The  vanquished 


THE   CHURCH  OF    NEW- YORK.  155 

party  were  treated  with  tenderness,  and  for  many 
j^ears  after,  or  until  the  number  remaining  became 
very  small,  they  maintained  service  in  the  Old 
Church,  in  the  language  tor  the  preservation  of 
which  they  had  so  long  and  so  strenuously  contend- 
ed ;  but  English  preaching  was  no  more  opposed. 

It  need  scarcely  be  added,  that  the  influence  of 
these  occurrences  was  felt  in  many  congregations, 
and  led,  at  length,  to  a  general  disuse  of  the  Dutch 
language  in  the  public  worsliip  of  God;  and,  if  the 
dispute  be  viewed  as  having  had  ultimately  so  ex- 
tensive and  important  ian  influence  upon  the  Church 
at  large,  the  narrative  which  has  been  given  of  all 
that  related  to  it,  will  not  be  thought,  it  is  hoped, 
to  have  been  too  protracted  or  minute. 

The  introduction  of  the  English  language  into  the 
Dutch  Church  in  this  countrj^,  was  so  closely  con- 
nected in  its  consequences  with  all  her  best  inte-- 
rests,  that  no  person  can  hesitate  to  admit  it  was 
one  of  the  most  auspicious  and  remarkable  events 
which  can  be  found  recorded  in  her  history. 


CHAPTER  V. 


FROM  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  HIS  STUDIES  IN  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  UTRECHT,  TILL  HIS  RETURN 

TO    NEW-YORK. 

The  University  of  Utrecht,  next  to  that  of  Lej - 
lien,  is  the  oldest  institution  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  Netherlands.  It  was  founded  in  1636 ;  and 
some,  no  doubt,  are  ready  to  associate  the  idea  of 
a  school  so  ancient  and  celebrated,  with  that  of 
commodious  and  splendid  buildings,  appropriated 
to  the  accommodation  of  the  professors  and  stu- 
dents. Such  an  association  of  ideas  is  quite  natu- 
ral for  an  American.  He  could  not,  perhaps,  but 
with  some  difficulty,  think  of  a  college,  without,  at 
the  same  time,  imagining  one  or  more  spacious  and 
elegant  edifices  as  constituting  an  important  or 
necessary  part  of  it.  But  the  founders  of  the 
Dutch  Universities  were  very  indifferent  about 
accommodations  of  this  description. 

**  The  external  appearance  of  the  Universities,'^ 
says  Guthrie,  *'  is  rather  mean,  and  the  buildings 
old ;  but  these  defects  are  amply  compensated  by 


RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  157 

the  variety  of  solid  and  useful  learning  taught  in 
them.  There  are  abundance  of  youth  of  the  prin- 
cipal nobility  and  gentry,  from  most  countries  in 
Europe,  at  these  seminaries  of  literature  ;  and,  as 
every  one  may  live  as  he  pleases,  without  being 
obliged  to  be  proflise  in  his  expenses,  or  so  much 
as  quitting  his  night-gown  for  weeks  or  months  to- 
gether, foreigners  of  all  ranks  and  conditions  are 
to  be  seen  here." 

And  of  the  one  which  he  attended,  Mr.  Living- 
ston has  left  this  account : — "  There  were  no  public 
buildings  belonging  to  the  University  of  Utrecht. 
A  large  hall  appertaining  to  the  old  Cathedral  or 
Dome  Kirk,  was  occasionally  used  for  public  ora- 
tions and  disputations;  and,  in  a  hall  of  the  St. 
Jans  Kirk,  the  pubUc  library  was  deposited.  This 
was  not  large  in  respect  to  the  number  of  books, 
as  it  contained  chiefly  such  as  were  very  rare ;  but 
it  was  especially  celebrated  for  a  rich  collection  of 
manuscripts.  The  lectures  of  the  professors  were 
all  held  in  their  own  respective  houses.  There 
were  also  no  buildings  appropriated  as  lodgings  for 
the  students.  They  hired  chambers,  agreeably  to 
their  choice,  among  the  citizens.  It  was  usual  for 
them  to  dine  in  select  parties,  in  boarding-houses.'" 

*'  The  average  number  of  students  at  the  Univer- 


158  RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND. 

sity  of  Utrecht,  during  the  four  years  I  resided 
there,  was  to  me  unknown.  Tlie  students,  who  at- 
tend to  the  different  branches  of  science,  repair  all 
to  their  own  respective  lecture-rooms,  and  have 
little  or  no  knowledge  of  any  others.  And,  as  there 
are  several  professors,  even  of  the  same  science, 
each  of  them  has  a  distinct  number  of  students, 
who  seldom  associate  familiarly  with  those  who 
attend  a  different  professor.  It  was,  therefore,  no 
easy  matter  to  ascertain  the  whole  number,  and 
impossible  to  become  famiharly  acquainted  with 
all." 

Such  a  plan  of  conducting  the  education  of  youth, 
is  decidedly  preferable, — in  the  judg  ment  of  the 
writer  at  least, — to  that  which  has  obtained  at  many 
of  the  seats  of  science  in  this  country.  For  a  num- 
ber of  students  to  reside  together  in  the  same  build- 
ing, who  are  come  from  various  parts ;  whose  domes- 
tic education  has  been,  in  many  respects,  widely  dif- 
ferent ;  who,  during  their  collegiate  course,  are  thus 
put,  in  a  measure,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  influence 
of  pubhc  opinion  upon  them  as  individuals ;  who 
are  swayed  in  their  conduct,  rather  by  that  ardour 
of  feehng  pecuhar  to  their  age,  than  by  the  sober 
dictates  of  reason,'or  sound  principle — is  not  a  plan 
the  best  calculated,  it  would  seem,  to  promote 
either  their  moral  or  intellectual  improvement. 


RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND.  159 

And,  most  assuredly,  the  money  expended  in  the 
erection  of  a  building  of  a  proper  size  and  con- 
venience, would,  if  judiciously  invested,  yield  much 
for  the  support  of  a  competent  number  of  able  pro- 
fessors, or  for  providing  other  necessary  helps  to 
the  acquisition  of  learning.  Some  of  the  colleges 
that  furnish  rooms  and  commons  for  their  students, 
certainly  rank  high  as  literary  institutions,  and 
their  celebrit}^  is  deserved.  They  have  supplied 
the  pulpit,  the  legislative  hall,  the  highest  offices  of 
state,  with  men  of  great  worth  and  distinction,  whose 
names  are,  and  will  be  on  the  page  of  history  with 
imperishable  renown ;  and  it  is  probable  that  the  es- 
tablished economj'^  referred  to  was,  in  their  infancy, 
indispensable  to  their  prosperity.  But  still,  every 
candid  person  must  admit,  that  it  is  but  too  fre- 
quently attended  with  mischievous  consequences  ; 
that  it  often  leads  to  injurious  intimacies  among 
youth — to  overt  acts  of  rebeUion  and  folly,  which 
leave  a  taint  of  guilt  or  infamy  not  easily  effaced— 
to  the  loss  or  subversion  of  the  best  principles  and 
habits,  in  which  they  had  been  carefully  trained  up 
at  home,  and  the  salutary  impressions  of  which 
were  plainly  to  be  seen  when  they  first  became 
inhabitants  of  a  college.  And  how  far  such  evils 
might  be  dimmished  or  prevented,  by  the  adoption 
of  another  and  more  liberal  economy  ;  one  better 
suited  to  an  age,  as  diiFerent  from  that  of  Mona- 


160  RESIDENCE   IN  HOLLAND. 

chism,  to  which  the  rise  of  the  other  can  be  traced, 
as  light  is  from  darkness,  may  be  a  question  enti- 
tled to  some  consideration. 

Mr  Livingston,  having  completed  the  prepara- 
tory arrangements  which  he  judged  necessary  to 
facihtate  the  prosecution  of  his  studies,  as  soon  as 
the  session  of  the  university  opened,  was  admitted 
a  member,  and  commenced  a  regular  attendance 
upon  several  professors.  Professor  Bonnet,  whose 
department  was  didactic  and  polemic  theology,  he 
considered  his  Gamaliel.  He  attended  also  Pro- 
fessor Elsnerus,  in  didactic  theology :  in  the  He- 
brew language,  and  Jewish  antiquities,  Professor 
Ravius  :  in  the  biblical  criticism  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, Professor  Segaar :  and  subsequently,  upon 
the  Greek  of  the  New  Testament,  Professor  Van 
Goens. 

These  learned  men,  it  ought  to  be  observed,  de- 
livered all  their  lectures  in  the  Latin  language,  and 
our  young  student  not  being  sufficiently  famihar 
with  it  to  understand  it  in  oral  discourse,  would  not, 
at  first,  as  may  be  supposed,  hear  them  with  either 
much  interest  or  benefit.  But,  he  applied  himself 
afresh  most  assiduously  to  the  study  of  the  Latin 
classics  ;  and,  as  he  had  been  well  grounded  hi  the 
elementary  principles  of  the  language,   he  soon 


RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND.  IGl 

acquired  a  competent  knowledge  of  it.  After  a 
little  while,  as  the  result  of  this  application,  he 
found  he  could  receive  the  instructions  of  his  pro- 
fessors, without  embarrassment  or  loss  of  any  con- 
sequence. 

Before  he  left  the  University,  he  could  speak  the 
Latin  almost  as  readily  as  his  native  tongue,  the 
Dutch  equally  or  more  so  ;  and,  to  quote  his  own 
words,  he  "  thought  and  wrote,  and  even  prayed  in 
secret,  undesignedly,  sometimes  in  Latin,  and 
sometimes  in  Dutch." 

Besides  pursuing  with  ardour  and  dihgence  the 
studies  that  have  been  enumerated^  he  sought  to 
improve  every  opportunity  he  had  to  gain  useful 
information  of  any  sort,  or  upon  other  subjects, 
though  not  immediately  connected  with  theology ; 
and  for  this  purpose,  he  occasionally  attended  the 
public  lectures  upon  chemistry,  anatomy,  and 
dissections.  During  the  whole  period  of  his  stay  at 
the  University,  he  appears  to  have  conscientiously 
endeavoured  to  make  the  best  possible  use  of 
his  time  for  his  own  advantage,  or  that  of  others 
and  thus  to  serve  and  glorify  God. 

And  it  may  be  further  remarked,  that  while  he 

laboured  to  obtain  an  extensive  and  thorough  theo- 

21 


263  RESIDENCE   IN  HOLLAND. 

retical  acquaintance  with  the  system  of  Divine 
truth,  he  was  not  inattentive  to  the  state  of  his  heart : 
he  was  concerned  to  know,  from  liis  own  happy 
experience,  the  practical  and  gracious  influence  of 
that  truth.  The  doctrmes  he  was  taught,  he  brought 
to  the  touchstone  of  the  inspired  volume  ;  for  *'  I 
was  determined,"  he  says,"  never  to  adopt  any  sen- 
timent upon  the  authority  of  public  profession,  or 
the  decision  of  any  man,  however  dignified  or  im- 
posing his  name  or  influence  might  be,  unless  I  was 
convinced  it  was  founded  upon  the  word  of  God." 
And,  as  they  were  severally  and  successively  discus- 
sed in  the  course  of  the  lectures,  it  was  his  custom 
not  only  to  search  the  Bible  to  ascertain  himself  of 
their  authority,  but  also  to  read  the  best  treatises 
upon  them  he  could  find,  in  order  that  he  might  fully 
understand  them,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  pray 
fervently  that  the  Lord  would  instruct  him,  and  en- 
able him  to  realize  his  own  interest  in  each  of  them. 
Such  a  method  of  prosecuting  his  favourite  study 
could  not  fail  to  be  profitable  to  both  the  head  and 
the  heart ;  and  it  may  be  confidently  averred,  that 
the  student  of  theology  who  does  not  act  upon  the 
principle  it  involves — that  is — does  not  seek  to 
grow  in  grace,  as  well  as  in  knowledge — to  unite 
the  cultivation  of  the  heart  with  the  improvement 
of  the  mind,  cannot  estimate,  as  he  ought,  the  hoty 
Work  in  which  he  proposes  to  engage,  nor  become 


RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND.  16S 

thoroughly  furnished  for  it,  while  he  neglects  the 
duty. 

Prayer  is  essential  to  spiritual  vitality.  It  is  the 
Christian's  breath : — he  can  no  more  live  without 
it,  as  a  child  of  God,  or  in  communion  with  God, 
than  the  natural  man  can  live  without  air.  Cer- 
tainly then,  he  who  studies  the  deep  things  of 
God,  that  he  may  be  prepared  to  teach  others — to 
guide  his  sinful,  perishing  fellow-men  to  a  Saviour 
and  Heaven,  ought  to  give  himself  habitually  to 
prayer,  and  to  the  use  of  all  other  means  calcula- 
ted to  promote  his  own  personal  religion. 

Mr.  Livingston  was  no  stranger  at  the  Throne  of 
Grace.  He  loved  to  pray ;  and  daily  intercourse 
with  a  few  eminently  pious  young  friends  of  the 
University,  contributed  not  a  little  to  cherish  in  him 
a  devotional  spirit.  Among  those  between  whom 
and  himself  a  most  affectionate  intimacv  subsisted^ 
he  has  particularly  named  Messrs.  Van  Vloten,  I. 
L.  Verster,  A.  Boelen,  I.  Kneppelhout,  I.  Prinse, 
W.  C.  Hoog,  I.  Verduin,  I.  Van  De  Kasteele, 
I.  B.  Hendricks,  H.  Van  Alphen,  C.  Boers,  S. 
Spiering,  and  A.  Rutgers.  With  these  individuals, 
who  were  respected  for  their  literary  attainments, 
but  especially  for  their  faith  and  godly  zeal,  he 
constantly  associated.    Thev  aided  him  in  his  stu- 


164  RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND. 

dies ;  and  their  pious  conversation  was  very  con- 
ducive to  his  spiritual  comfort  and  edification. 

A  circumstance  that  shows  at  once  the  character 
of  this  Uttle  fraternity,  and  how  much  good  a  pro- 
fessor, who  has  in  him  the  spirit  of  grace  and  sup- 
plication, can  do,  otherwise  than  by  imparting  in- 
struction, merits  a  moment's  notice.  It  was  this: 
many  of  them  regularly  attended  Professor  Elsne- 
ruSf  chiefly  for  the  benefit  they  derived  from  the 
fervent  and  impressive  prayers  with  which  he 
opened  and  closed  his  lectures.  The  lectm-es  of 
this  venerable  man  are  represented  to  have  been 
exceedingly  interesting  and  instructive,  but  his 
prayers  as  peculiarly  spiritual  and  moving — as 
having  a  holy  and  elevating  influence  upon  their 
hearts,  which,  of  itself,  constituted  a  sufficient  in- 
ducement with  them  to  visit  his  room.  That  they 
were  drawn  thither  by  his  extraordinary  gift  in 
prayer,  exhibits  their  piety  in  a  very  favourable 
light ;  and  the  gift,  it  must  be  confessed,  was  more 
honourable  to  him,  than  would  have  been  without  it, 
the  possession  of  the  most  splendid  genius,  or  the 
most  profound  erudition. 

Mr.  Livingston  was  in  the  habit,  it  has  been 
observed,  of  pondering  upon  the  subject  of  the 
last  lecture.     This  habit  once  occasioned  him  a 


RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND.  165 

siiort  but  distressing  conflict,  in  relation  to  a  doc- 
trine of  great  importance,  of  which,  and  also  of  the 
means  of  his  deliverance  from  it,  he  has  left  the 
following  account : 

"  I  was  walking  one  day  alone,  under  the  rows 
of  trees  on  the  border  of  the  canal,  without  the 
walls  of  the  city,  and  meditating  upon  Divine  Pro- 
vidence, which  was,  at  that  time,  the  subject  of  our 
lectures,  when  a  blasphemous  objection  against 
that  doctrine  suddenly  and  powerfully  arose  in  my 
mind ;  and  with  great  violence,  a  fierce  suggestion 
succeeded,  almost  in  the  very  words  of  2  Pet.  iii,  4. 
All  things  continue  as  they  were.  There  is  no  Pro- 
vidence: there  is  no  superior  or  divine  agency. 
Causes  and  effects,  with  their  train  of  events,  roll 
uninterruptedly  on,  and  nations  and  human  affairs 
proceed  invariably  the  same,  without  the  interposition 
of  God  or  Providence.  My  soul  was  disturbed  and 
afflicted: — I  paused,  and  was  overwhelmed  with 
surprise,  alarm,  and  grief.  But  a  very  different 
suggestion  soon  ensued.  It  was  not  an  articulate 
sound,  nor  any  audible  voice ;  yet  it  conveyed  ideas 
as  correct  and  impressive,  as  if  I  had  heard  one 
speaking  to  me.  It  said: — You  shall  live  to  see 
signal  and  indisputable  interpositions  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence :  you  shall  live  to  see  the  rise  and  downfal 
of  governments :  you  ivill  see  new  nations  commence, 


166  RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND. 

and  old  nations  convulsed  and  changed.  A  series 
of  new  atid  astonishing  events^  which  will  influence 
the  church  and  the  tvorld,  will  happen  in  your  life 
time,  and  prove  the  Providence  of  God.  It  was  no 
ewthiisiasm.  I  had  not  anticipated  any  thing  of  that 
kind,  I  was  cool  and  thoughtful.  It  produced,  at 
the  moment,  great  agitation  of  mind.  Yet  I  left  the 
suggestion,  and  whatever  it  might  mean,  as  well  as 
whatever  might  follow,  with  great  reverence  and 
humble  adoration,  to  the  Lord.  But  it  removed 
the  evil  suggestion  against  Providence,  and  I  be- 
came, during  that  walk  and  meditation,  confirmed 
in  the  doctrine,  with  enlarged  views,  precision,  and 
evidence,  that  have  never  since  been  assaulted  or 
disturbed.  I  often  afterwards  recollected  the  sug- 
gestion, and  expected  the  accomplishment." 

That  in  every  age  of  the  Church,  there  have 
been  children  of  God  favoured  with  extraordinary 
revelations  of  things  future,  no  one,  who  has  been 
much  conversant  with  the  histories  of  Christian  ex- 
perience, will  deny.  They  do  not,  indeed,  essen- 
tially belong  to  such  experience :  every  Christian 
does  not  receive  them :  they  are  not  a  necessary 
part  of  the  operations  of  saving  grace ;  but  the  fact, 
nevertheless,  is  certain,  that  they  have  been  made ; 
and,  in  some  isolated  cases,  they  have  been  of  a 
very  remarkable  kind,  well  attested  and  fully  veri- 


RESIDENCE   IN  HOLLAND.  167 

liecl  by  subsequent  occurrences  in  Providence.  The 
purpose  of  God,  in  imparting  a  measure  of  pre- 
science occasionally,  or  under  some  peculiar  circum- 
stances, to  particular  persons  is,  to  communicate  by 
this  means  an  immediate  spiritual  benefit  to  their 
souls,  as  may  be  supposed ; — not  to  constitute  them 
prophets,  in  the  sense  in  Avhich  the  term  is  common- 
ly used,  or  to  authorize  them  to  utter  predictions, 
but  merely  to  deliver  them  from  some  present  or 
powerful  temptation,  to  confirm  their  faith,  to  sus- 
tain their  hope,  to  invigorate  all  their  graces,  and 
thus  to  advance  and  secure  their  eternal  salvation : 
or,  it  may  be,  that  some  gracious  purpose  is  to  be 
accomphshed  by  it  in  other  persons.  God  has  his 
own  way  of  working,  in  calling  and  conducting  his 
children  to  Heaven.  They  are  his.  He  knows 
them;  and  the  enemy  shall  not,  by  any  stratagems 
he  can  devise,  or  by  any  power  he  can  exert,  be 
able  to  pluck  them  out  of  his  hand.  When  they 
pass  through  the  waters,  he  will  be  with  them  :  and 
through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  them : 
when  they  walk  through  the  fire,  they  shall  not  be 
burnt,  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  them.* 
He  will  not  suffer  his  faithfulness  to  fail;  but  will 
supply  all  their  need,  according  to  his  riches  in  glory, 
by  Christ  Jesus,*     He  knows  the  best  method  of 


Isa.  xliii.  2.  Psl.  Ixxxix.  33.  and  Phil.  iv.  19- 


168  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAKD. 

succouring  them  that  are  tempted ;  and,  if  it  be  ne- 
cessary, in  order  to  counteract  and  destroy  a  dis- 
tressing, overpowering  suggestion  of  the  evil  one, 
that  the  mind  be  suddenly  and  strongly  impressed 
with  a  suggestion  of  an  opposite  nature,  he  will  in 
kindness  grant  such  reUef. 

The  occurrence,  just  related,  affords  a  striking 
illustration  of  this  remark.  The  prophetic  sug- 
gestion of  which  Mr.  Livingston  speaks,  was  made 
at  a  moment  when  he  was  under  the  influence  of 
a  most  violent  and  most  impious  temptation.  It 
was  exactly  calculated  to  prevent  the  temptation 
from  having  any  effect ;  it  was  a  direct  reply  to 
the  same ;  and,  accordingly,  it  at  once  extricated  him 
from  the  snare  of  the  Devil,  and  estabUshed  liis 
confidence  in  God  as  the  God  of  Providence.  Be- 
Ueving  it  was  from  God,  though  he  had  no  miracu- 
lous evidence  of  the  fact,  he  naturally  waited  for 
its  accomphshment ;  and  this  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  spare  him  to  witness.  "  And  now,"  (alluding  to 
the  time  when  writing  the  account  1818,)  he  adds, 
"  I  can  put  my  seal  to  its  truth.  I  have  hved  to  see 
the  new  nation  of  the  United  States  arise  and  be- 
come a  great  civil  power.  I  was  thirty  years  old 
at  the  commencement  of  our  revolution,  *  *  * 
*****  I  ^yas  confident  the  Lord  would 
help  us,  even  in  the  darkest  periods  of  the  war : 


RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND.  169 

and  he  did  help  us.  ******  I  have 
lived  also  to  see  the  probable  beginnings  of  new 
nations,  which  are  now  rising  in  South  America  ; 
not  to  mention  the  actual  estabUshment  of  that 
singular  nation  in  St.  Domingo.  Even  in  Holland, 
the  very  nation  in  which  I  then  was,  the  govern- 
ment has  been  changed,  and  a  new  nation  formed. 
My  friends  there  often  exultingly  boasted,  that 
Belgium  had  always  been  a  Republic,  even  from 
the  days  of  Julius  Csesar,  but  they  are  now  under 
a  monarchical  government :  they  are  a  new  nation. 
I  have  lived  to  see  the  prostration  of  many  nations 
in  Europe,  during  the  singular  career  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte  ;  and  they  are  all,  in  many  respects,  now 
changed  from  what  they  were  when  this  suggestion 
was  made  to  me.  In  the  Church,  more  unex- 
pected and  surprising  events  have  succeeded.  The 
formation  of  Missionary  Societies,  and  the  success 
of  the  Missionaries  ;  and  now  lately,  of  Bible  So- 
cieties, and  the  extensive  dispersion  of  the  blessed 
Word,  constitute  a  new  epoch;  and,  while  Christians 
see  and  beheve,  and  rejoice  that  the  Lord  reigneth, 
the  wicked  are  made  to  feel  and  acknowledge 
that,  verily,  there  is  a  God  who  judgeth  in  the  earth, 
— there  is  a  Divine  Providence." 

During  his  residence  at  Utrecht,  he  had  some 

pleasing  evidence,  in  being  made  the  instrument  of 

22 


J 70  ilESlDENCE   IN   UOLI.AKD, 

converting  several  persons,  that  he  was  indeed 
ealled  to  win  souls  for  Christ.  Possessing  natu- 
rally a  happy  talent  at  conversation,  he  employed 
it,  as  he  had  opportunity,  to  magnify  and  commend 
the  grace  of  the  Redeemer,  or  to  say  something,  to 
excite  in  those  with  whom  he  happened  to  be  in 
company,  and  who,  he  had  reason  to  believe, 
were  unacquainted  with  the  power  of  religion,  an 
attention  to  the  momentous  concerns  of  eternity. 
This  he  could  do,  it  is  well  known,  with  an  ease^ 
and  dignity,  and  solemnity,  that  were  truly  admir- 
able and  peculiar  to  himself. 

One  evening,  when  much  taken  up  with  his 
studies,  a  stranger  called  at  his  room,  and,  pretend- 
big  that  he  had  come  to  present  the  compliments  of 
a  gentleman  in  Amsterdam,  showed  some  inchna- 
tion  to  spend  the  evening  with  him.  He  had  no 
wish  to  be  interrupted  ;  and  there  was  that,  in  the 
appearance  or  behaviour  of  the  stranger,  he  did 
Hot  like ;  but  he  had  too  much  politeness  to  request 
him  to  depart.  At  length,  when  he  saw  that  the 
unwelcome  visit  was  to  be  prolonged,  he  recon- 
ciled himself  to  the  interruption  as  well  as  he  could, 
and  silently  lifting  up  his  soul  to  God,  in  one  or  two 
ejaculations  for  the  Divine  direction  and  blessing, 
he  entered  into  a  little  familiar  discourse  with  him. 
The  conversation,  which  was  at  first  upon  ordinar}'^ 


HESmENCB    IN   HOLLAND.  171 

affairs,  and  not  very  interesting,  by  the  seasonable 
introduction  of  a  few  appropriate  pious  remarks,  he 
soon  turned  altogether  upon  subjects  of  religion ; 
and  then,  as  he  of  course  had  the  most  to  say,  it 
was  evangelical,  instructive,  pointed,  calculated  to 
convince  liis  visitant,  evidently  yet  in  an  unrege- 
nerate  state,  of  the  importance  of  eternal  things. 
His  observations  were  listened  to,  apparently  with 
intense  interest,  until  quite  a  late  hour,  when  the 
gentleman  retired  with  suitable  expressions  of 
gratitude  and  respect. 

Early  the  next  morning  a  note  came,  containing 
a  request  that  the  writer  of  it  might  be  permitted  to 
renew  his  visit,  as  the  conversation  of  the  preced- 
ing  evening  had  awakened  in  him  a  deep  concern 
for  the  welfare  of  his  souL  Mr.  Livingston  received 
the  tidings  with  dehght,  and  immediately  granted 
his  request  in  the  most  affectionate  manner 
He  now  considered  the  interview  which,  at  its  com- 
mencement, had  been  so  disagreeable  to  him,  as 
an  extraordinary  occurrence,  that  called  for  thanks- 
giving and  praise  ;  and,  for  many  weeks  after,  he 
daily  taught  the  way  of  salvation  to  this  alarmed, 
inquiring  sinner,  who  in  due  time  obtained  a  hope, 
joined  the  Church,  and  was  esteemed  a  genuine 
convert— a  truly  humble  and  exemplary  follower 
of  the  Lord  Jesus. 


17^  ItKSIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

Among  the  students  with  whom  Mr.  Livingston 
associated,  was  a  young  man  engaged  in  the  study 
of  law,  the  son  of  an  East  India  Governor.  He 
was  not  a  pious,  but  he  was  an  amiable  youth,  and 
the  frequent  interchange  of  friendly  attentions,  led 
to  the  formation  of  a  very  tender  and  confidential 
intimacy  between  them. 

One  day  Mr.  Livingston  called  to  see  him,  and 
while  in  his  room,  felt  a  strong  desire  to  talk  with 
him  upon  the  subject  of  the  one  thing  needful ; — so 
strong  a  desire,  that  he  determined  to  do  it  at  once, 
as  soon  as  some  gentlemen,  who  were  present,  had 
gone  away  ;  and,  though  urged  to  accompany  them 
when  they  took  their  leave,  he  politely  declined  the 
invitation  and  remained  for  the  purpose.  Praying 
that  God  would  guide  and  assist  him,  he  then  com- 
menced a  plain  and  serious  conversation  relative  to 
the  necessity  of  personal  religion,  or  of  a  personal 
interest  in  Christ,  by  faith,  in  order  to  salvation  ; 
and  to  his  great  joy,  he  discovered  before  it  termi- 
nated, some  little  evidence  that  it  had  been,  in  a 
measure  at  least,  a  profitable  conversation.  There 
had  been  so  much  ingenuousness,  and  such  appear- 
ance of  incipient  conviction  in  the  behaviour  of  his 
friend,  that  he  could  not  but  hope  his  labour  of  love 
would  result  as  he  had  prayed  it  might, — and  so  it 
did  result.    The  important  truths  which  had  been 


RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  173 

thus  faithfully  addressed  to  the  conscience  of  this 
young  man,  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
produced  a  saving  change  ia  him.  He  gave  up  the 
study  of  law,  prepared  for  the  ministry,  and  was 
afterwards  a  distmguished  herald  of  the  Cross. — In 
a  letter  that  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Livingston,  when  the 
latter  had  returned  to  America,  he  very  feehngly 
adverted  to  the  wise  and  gracious  Providence  which, 
having  brought  the  one  from  the  East  and  the  othei' 
from  the  West,  to  meet  in  Utrecht,  had  so  singularly 
over-ruled  their  acquaintance,  as  to  make  it  the 
memorable  means  of  his  conversion. 

Another  fact,  which  shows  the  great  difference  be- 
tween a  speculative  and  saving  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  and  how  easily  one  taught  of  God,  though  his 
attainments  in  learning  be  comparatively  very  li- 
mited ;  though  he  be  capable  of  giving  only  the  sim- 
plest instruction  grounded  upon  his  own  experience 
of  the  power  of  Divine  grace,  may  be  used  by  the 
Spirit  to  convey  hght  and  comfort  to  the  mind,  even 
of  a  philosopher,  occurred  about  this  time,  and 
must  be  told. 

The  fame  of  Bonnet  had  drawn  to  the  University 
a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Groningen,  who 
was  already  known  as  the  author  of  some  works  in 
Latin,  respectable  for  their  learning,  and  was  ho- 


174  RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND. 

iioured  with  the  degree  of  doctor  of  philosophy. 
He  had  come  to  attend  the  divinity-lectures  of 
the  celebrated  professor,  and  Mr.  Livingston  being 
informed  of  liis  character,  obtained  an  introduction 
to  him.  The  acquaintance  now  made  with  each 
other,  soon  ripened  into  a  mutual,  unreserved,  and 
confidential  friendship.  It  so  happened,  that  Dr. 
D  ,  the  gentleman  referred  to,  when  he  had  been 
there  a  short  tune,  was  suddenly  thrown  into  a  state 
of  great  mental  distress,  through  some  painful 
intelligence  he  had  received.  The  news  reached 
him  one  evening  of  the  death  of  a  person,  whom 
he  had  long  loved  as  his  own  soul — a  young  clergy- 
man, of  extraordinary  piety  and  talents ;  and  upon 
learning  the  melancholy  event  which,  it  would  seem, 
he  had  not  expected,  his  thoughts  became  wholly 
absorbed  with  the  bereavement  he  had  sustained. 
He  was  deeply  afflicted  : — he  retired  to  his  bed 
with  a  dejected  and  sorrowM  heart. 

In  the  course  of  the  same  night,  while  ruminating 
upon  the  stroke,  he  was  led  to  reflect  that  he  also 
was  doomed  to  die,  and  to  look  at  death,  and  judg- 
ment, and  eternity,  as  immediately  before  him.  He 
saw  what,  perhaps,  he  had  admitted  a  thousand 
times  and  more,  but  never  before  seriously  ponder- 
ed, that  the  hour  was  approaching,  which  would 
terminate  his  connexion  with  earth,  and  transmit 


KESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  175 

his  spirit  to  the  bar  of  God  ;  and  he  saw  that  he 
was  a  sinner  unprepared  to  meet  his  God.  He 
knew  that  he  was  then  out  of  Christ,  and  that  if 
death  should  surprise  him  in  that  state,  he  would 
be  lost  for  ever.  So  cogent  and  sharp  was  the  con- 
viction of  this  awful  truth,  that  he  forgot,  in  a  man- 
ner, his  friend's  departure  from  life,  in  the  concern 
he  felt  for  his  own  salvation,  and  there  was  no  sleep 
for  him  that  night. 

The  next  morning,  Mr.  Livingston  paid  him  a 
visit,  and  being  ignorant  of  the  circumstances  of 
the  case,  was  much  affected,  upon  entering  his 
room,  at  his  mournful  appearance.  The  cause  of 
his  evident  distress  was  immediately  inquired,  with 
an  air  of  affectionate  soUcitude,  that  induced  him  to 
make  a  full  disclosure  of  the  whole  matter ;  and, 
when  he  had  related  his  exercises,  he  earnest^ 
asked — what  he  must  do  to  be  saved.  Mr.  Living- 
ston modestly  answered,  "  that  he  knew  him  to  be 
well  acquainted  with  the  precious  truths  of  the  Gos- 
pel, and  *  *  *  informed  in  what  way  sinners  were 
accepted  in  the  beloved  Saviour ;"  and  feehng,  pro- 
bably, at  the  moment  some  little  embarrassment, 
as  he  had  been  unprepared  for  such  a  meeting,  he 
rose  from]  his  seat  to  leave  him.  But  the  Doctor 
would  not  permit  him  to  go  yet :  "  No,  my  dear 
friend,"  said  he,  "  No,  vou  must  not  leave  me  ; 


176  RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND. 

sit  down  ;  you  must  descend  more  to  particulars. 
You  must  tell  me  how  a  sinner  must  come  to  Jesus, 
and  what  are  the  peculiar  exercises  of  that  repent- 
ance and  faith,  which  unites  the  soul  to  the  Divine 
Redeemer.  It  is  a  fact,"  he  added,  "that  I  have 
studied  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  I  can  explain 
and  vindicate  them,  and  you  are  convinced  of  my 
knowledge  of  the  truth  :  it  would  be  improper  in 
me  to  deny  it.  But  all  this  has  been  mere  specu- 
lation ;  it  has  been  all  viewed  by  me  as  an  abstract 
theory.  I  have  been  ignorant  of  the  spirituality 
and  extent  of  the  Divine  Law.  I  did  not  know  who 
or  what  a  sinner  was,  nor  did  I  realize  that  I  was 
the  man.  And  now,  since  these  convictions  have 
commenced,  I  find  myself,  with  all  my  acquired 
knowledge,  ignorant  and  forlorn.  I  know  not  what 
I  must  do,  or  how  to  approach  a  Throne  of  Grace, 
any  more  than  the  most  uninformed  babe.  I  must 
be  taught  what  it  is  to  enter  into  covenant  with 
God  my  Redeemer,  and  what  that  direct  and  per- 
sonal faith  is,  by  which  the  soul  is  united  to  Christ, 
and  becomes  interested  in  his  imputed  righteous- 
ness for  justification  and  acceptance.  " 

Being  thus  importuned  to  remain,  Mr.  Living- 
ston again  took  his  seat,  and  attempted  to  exhibit 
to  him  the  experience  that  is  connected  with 
genuine  conversion,  the  nature  of  evangelical  re- 


RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  177 

pentance,  and  of  saving  faith,  and  how  a  sinner,  that 
is  under  the  renewing  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
is  brought  to  appropriate  a  precious  Christ  as  his 
sacrifice  and  righteousness.  The  Saviour,  in  his 
abiUty  and  wilhngness  to  save,  and  the  ample 
encouragements  of  the  Gospel  to  the  exercise  of 
a  full  affiance  in  his  merits  and  grace,  were  also 
presented  with  much  clearness  and  feehng ;  and, 
under  the  Divine  blessing,  the  Doctor  was  both 
enhghtened  and  comforted  by  this  plain,  spi- 
ritual, and  affectionate  conversation.  He  found 
peace  and  joy  in  believing.  At  the  completion  of 
his  studies,  he  entered  the  ministry ;  was  called  to 
the  Church  of  *****  ;  and,  to  a  good  old  age, 
was  esteemed  an  exemplary,  learned,  and  useful 
minister  of  the  Gospel. 

The  evidences  of  the  Christian  religion  are  so 
numerous  and  irrefragable,  that  no  one  who  candid- 
ly considers  them,  can  doubt  its  divine  origin,  or  his 
own  obhgation  to  yield  obedience  to  its  precepts  ; 
and  hence  it  is,  that  a  large  majority  of  those  who 
live  in  Christian  lands,  are,  at  least,  professed  Chris- 
tians, though  much  divided  in  sentiment  upon  some 
doctrinal  points,  and  differing  m  their  modes  of 
worship.  But  it  is  a  fact  that  an  historical  faith  is 
not  a  saving  faith — nor  is  it  always  connected  with 

the  enjoyment  of  the  life  and  power  of  orodlines?. 

23 


178  KJbiSIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND. 

It  is  a  fact  that,  in  nearly  every  communion,  there 
are  those  who  have  a  faith  which  worketh  by  love, 
purifieth  the  heart,  and  overcometh  the  world,  and 
whose  religious  experience,  with  all  the  diversity 
observable  in  their  creeds  and  forms,  involves  a 
singular  agreement  of  views  and  feelings.  It  is  a 
fact  that  genuine  believers,  of  every  name,  have  a 
common  spiritual  discernment,  and  a  common 
spiritual  sensibility,  and,  it  may  be  added,  a  common 
spiritual  language,  which  mere  speculative  or  no- 
minal Christians  have  not,  neither  can  have,  as  long 
as  they  are  destitute  of  that  faith,  which  is  the  effect 
of  a  supernatural  influence.  This  may  be  deno- 
minated, in  contradistinction  to  the  other  evidences 
of  religion,  the  evidence  of  the  Spirit ;  and  it 
comes  from  the  North,  and  South,  and  East,  and 
West, — from  the  children  of  God  of  every  denomi- 
nation— of  every  clime,  kindred,  and  tongue.  The 
Holy  Spirit  preserves  a  uniformity  in  his  saving 
operations — that  is,  his  operations  lead  to  an  ex- 
perimental knowledge,  in  all  the  saints,  of  the 
same  great  truths,  A  variety  of  circumstances 
may  be  employed  to  awaken  them  out  of  the  sleep 
of  sin  ;  but  the  work  begun  and  achieved  in  them 
by  Divine  grace,  has  the  same  characters,  and  the 
same  fruits.  They  are  all  taught  of  God — not  con- 
trary things,  but  the  same  things  that  pertain  to  sal- 
ration.     Hence  it  is  that— whether  thev  be  leanu.'d 


RESIDENCE   IN  HOLLAND.  179 

or  unlearned — Episcopalians  or  Presbyterians — 
Methodists  or  Baptists — natives  of  Europe  or 
Asia,  of  Africa  or  America,  they  perfectly  under- 
stand one  another  upon  the  cardinal  points  of  Chris- 
tian experience,  whenever  they  have  an  opportu- 
nity in  the  providence  of  God,  to  converse  upon 
the  subject,  and  mingle  sweetly  together  as  fellow- 
heirs  of  the  grace  of  life. 

While  Mr.  Livingston  was  in  Utrecht,  a  number 
of  pious  persons,  who  had  almost  contemporarily 
experienced  a  change  of  heart,  and  some  of  whom 
were  from  difTereat  and  distant  countries,  assem- 
bled by  invitation,  in  that  city,  for  the  purpose  of 
comparing  together  their  views  and  exercises 
under  the  power  of  redeeming  grace.  He  made 
one  of  the  happy  company ;  and  it  was  to  him  a  most 
edifying  and  delightful  conference,  the  recollection 
of  which  he  cherished  as  long  as  he  lived. 

After  the  Throne  of  Grace  had  been  addressed, 
and  a  song  of  Zion  had  been  sung,  a  person  from 
Asia  gave  a  minute  account  of  the  means  of  his 
conversion — of  his  contrition  for  sin — of  his 
reception  of  the  Lord  Jesus  as  his  Prophet,  Priest, 
and  King — and  of  his  subsequent  enjoyments  in 
the  Divine  life.  Then — one  from  Africa,  whose 
family  was  among  the  most  respectable  at  the  Cape 


180  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

of  Good  Hope,  told  how  he  was  first  made  sensi- 
ble of  his  guilt,  and  consequent  exposure  to  the 
wrath  of  God  ;  how  he  had  struggled  against  un- 
belief ;  and  how  at  last,  he  was  made  willing,  in  a 
day  of  God's  power,  to  accept  salvation  as  a  free 
gift,  as  tendered  without  money  and  without  price,  as 
flowing  from  the  rich  and  sovereign  grace  of  God,  in 
the  dear,  adorable  Redeemer.  Mr.  Livingston 
followed  next,  with  a  brief  statement  of  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  his  soul — and  after  him,  the  coun- 
tess of  R ,  from  Europe,  detailed  her  religious 

exercises. 

"  The  sum  of  the  whole,"  says  Mr.  Livingston 
in  a  short  narrative  of  this  conference,  "  when 
compared  together,  exhibited  the  same  teaching, 
the  same  views  and  exercises,  and  the  same  faith, 
and  hope,  and  love.  The  attending  circumstances 
and  first  incitements  to  religious  impressions  were 
various :  yet  the  convictions  of  sin  and  misery,  of 
seeking  and  obtaining  joy  and  peace  in  believing, 
of  looking  unto  Jesus,  and  through  him,  coming  to 
the  Father,  and  entering  into  an  everlasting  cove- 
nant with  God,  as  the  Redeemer  and  God  of  salva- 
tion, in  and  through  the  Son  of  his  love,  were 
exactly  the  same.  We  all  agreed  as  though  we 
had  lived  in  the  same  neighbourhood,  and  had 
been,  as  we  really  were,  under  one  and  the  same 


RESIDENCB    IN   HOLLAND.  181 

teaching.  The  company  was  comforted  and  edi- 
fied, delighted  and  elevated.  Mutual  sentiments 
of  fervent  love  and  Christian  communion  prevailed ; 
and  sentiments  of  adoration,  hope,  and  thanksgiving 
were  expressed.  We  testified  these  by  singing,  at 
the  close  of  our  conference,  the  72d  Psalm,  in  which, 
with  lively  adoration  and  raised  affections,  we 
celebrated  the  extent  of  our  precious  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  The  sons  of  mirth,"  he  adds,  "  may  en- 
joy their  ribaldry  and  wine,  and  infidels  scoff  at  the 
hope  of  Christians,  of  which  the  ignorant  wretches 
have  no  idea  ;  but  they  never  felt,  nor  can,  while 
they  remain  unbelievers,  what  we  felt  and  enjoyed 
upon  this  occasion.  I  never  experienced  so  much 
devotion  in  singing  a  psalm,  nor  did  I  ever  obtain 
such  peculiar  confirmation  in  my  former  experi- 
ences of  the  divine  teachmg,  and  sanctifying  grace." 

The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  was,  as  the  reader 
is  no  doubt  already  informed,  the  estabhshed  na- 
tional Church  in  all  the  provinces  of  the  United 
Netherlands  :  but,  notwithstanding  the  fact,  socie- 
ties of  other  denominations  were  liberally  tole- 
rated. They  enjoyed,  if  not  the  direct  countenance, 
at  least  the  indulgence  of  government,  and  were 
permitted  to  maintain  their  respective  peculiarities, 
in  doctrine  and  worship,  without  fear  of  molestation. 
— With  one  of  these,  which  were  in  the  city  of 


182  RESIDENCE   IN    HOLLAND. 

Utrecht,  a  church  in  the  Baptist  connexion,  Mr. 
Livingston,  and  a  few  of  his  university-companions, 
w^ere  induced  to  celebrate  divine  service  upon  a 
Sabbath  afternoon  ;  and  before  the  service  was 
over,  they  witnessed  a  mode  of  administering  the 
ordinance  of  baptism,  that  will  probably  be  pro- 
nounced by  some  to  have  been  a  very  unseemly 
and  sinful  deviation  from  the  common  practice  of 
the  communion,  but,  as  a  demonstrative  proof  of 
the  good  sense  and  catholic  spirit  of  these  Baptists, 
ought  not  to  be  suppressed.  After  a  most  excel- 
lent sermon  from  the  pastor,  a  man  whose  pre- 
eminent talents,  fervent  piety,  and  evangehcal 
preacliing,  had  rendered  him  exceedingly  popular 
in  the  place,  three  adults  came  forward  to  be 
baptised,  and  baptism  was  administered  to  them, 
not  by  immersion,  but  upon  the  principle  involved 
in  our  Lord's  rejoinder  to  Peter,  when  he  had  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  have,  besides  his  feet,  his  hands 
and  head  washed- — He  that  is  washed  needeth  not, 
save  to  wash  his  feet,  but  is  clean  every  whit — that  is, 
by  sprinkling. 

"  The  ordinance,"  Mr.  Livingston  observes  in  his 
notes  upon  the  interesting  scene,  "  was  solemnly 
performed,  and  I  felt  affected  and  edified.  Yet, 
contrary  to  what  I  expected,  they  were  not  immer- 
sed or  plunged,   but  sprinkled  on  the  face,  in 


RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND.  ISii 

the  same  way  that  we  administer  that  sacrament 
in  our  Reformed  Church.  I  knew  the  Baptists  in 
America  differed  from  us  in  the  mode,  as  well  as  the 
subjects  of  baptism;  that  they  magnified  and  distort- 
ed the  question  respecting  immersion;  and  notwith- 
standing, excepting  themselves,  the  whole  Church 
of  Christ,  with  which  compared  they  were  very  few 
and  small,  always  practised  sprinkling,  they  still 
maintainedthata  complete  plunging  underwater  was 
essential  to  the  ordinance.  Under  the  impression 
that  all  Baptists  entertained  the  same  superstitious 
and  singular  sentiment,  I  was  surprised  to  find  the 
contrary  in  the  instance  then  exhibited.  But  it  is  a 
fact,  whatever  they  may  profess  or  perform  in 
America  or  in  England,  that  the  Baptists  on  the 
continent  of  Europe  are  better  informed ;  and,  while 
they  agree  with  their  brethren  in  relation  to  the 
subjects,  yet  many  of  them  do  not  scruple  to  admi- 
nister baptism,  as  all  other  Christians  do,  by  sprink- 
ling." 

The  writer  feels  an  unfeigned  and  very  great 
respect  for  this  body  of  Christians.  He  sincerely 
believes  that  God  has  many  of  his  people  among 
them;  but  it  is,  nevertheless,  his  full  conviction  that 
they  attach  an  undue  importance  to  immersion,  when 
they  represent  it  as  the  only  scriptural  mode  of 
baptism. — A  few  such  triumphs  of  truth  over  pre 


184  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

judice  as  the  one  above  stated,  in  this  country,  or 
such  a  representation  of  the  subject  as,  in  candour, 
ought  to  be  made,  would  tend  greatly  to  the  pre- 
servation with  their  brethren  of  other  denomina- 
tions, of  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace. 

In  1768,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Witherspoon  havmg 
accepted  the  call  of  the  Trustees  of  Princeton  Col- 
lege to  preside  over  that  venerable  institution, 
previously  to  his  departure  for  America,  visited  the 
continent  of  Europe,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an 
acquaintance  with  some  of  the  distinguished  men  of 
Holland.  When  he  arrived  at  Rotterdam,  he  wrote 
to  Mr.  Livingston,  informing  him  of  the  object  of 
the  visit,  and  requesting  the  favour  of  being  provided 
by  him  with  suitable  lodgings  at  Utrecht.  The 
request  was  very  cheerfully  and  promptly  complied 
with  ;  and  the  respectable  family,  which  had  enga- 
ged to  accommodate  the  worthy  stranger,  received 
liim  with  all  pohteness,  and  kindly  entertained  him 
without  charge  during  liis  stay  in  the  City. — The 
day  after  his  coming  there,  Mr.  Livingston  went 
with  liim  to  the  university,  and  introduced  him  to 
Professor  Bonnet : — and  having  noticed  this  fact, 
it  will  be  necessary  for  awhile  to  direct  the  atten- 
tion of  the  readerto  some  measures  which  were  then 
in  contemplation  for  the  benefit  of  the  Dutch  Church 
in  America.  Mr.  Livingston,  ardently  desirous  that 
something  should  be  done  as  speedily  as  possible  to 


RESIDENCJi:   liN    HOLLAND.  185 

effect  a  reconciliation  between  the  two  great  parties 
in  the  Church,  (the  Coetus  and  Conferentie,)  was 
disposed  to  consider  the  visit  of  Dr.  Witherspoon, 
at  the  time,  as  an  occurrence  that  might  be  used  to 
advantage  to  further  the  attainment  of  that  object, 
and,  with  this  impression,  did  approve  the  general 
outlines  ofa  plan  which,  it  was  thought  would  satis- 
factorily provide  for  the  education  of  her  ministry, 
under  the  auspices  of  that  great  and  good  man, 
when  he  should  be  settled  at  Princeton.  It  is  at 
least  supposed  that  such  was  the  fact :  the  grounds 
upon  which  the  supposition  rests  will  presently  he 
exhibited. 

The  interview  between  the  Doctor  and  the  Pro- 
fessor is  represented  to  have  been,  in  a  high  degree, 
interesting  and  gratifying  to  both.  Their  discourse 
with  each  other  was  in  Latin,  and  before  it  ended^ 
*'Dr.  Witherspoon  expressed,"  says  Mr.  Livingston, 
"in  the  warmest  terms,  his  cordial  esteem  and  venera- 
tion for  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  declared 
his  hope  and  expectation,  that  the  two  Churches  ol" 
Holland  and  Scotland  would,  by  their  mutual  efforts 
and  influence,  while  they  still  remained  two  distinct 
denominations,  without  any  public  union  or  blend- 
ing, powerfully  defend  the  doctrines  of  grace,  and 
successfully  co-operate  in  promoting  the  best  in- 
terests of  the  Gospel  in  America." 

24 . 


186  RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND. 

The  establishment  of  a  friendly  correspondence 
and  co-operation,  was  the  only  union  then  proposed ; 
but,  another  of  a  more  important  character,  was 
soon  after  suggested, — by  whom,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, is  not  known, — and  was  seriously  meditated, 
as  will  appear  from  the  following  letter  of  Dr. 
Witherspoon  to  Mr.  Livingston,  dated  Paisley, 
May   12,  1768 : 

"  Dear  Sir, 
"  I  was  favoured  with  yours  of  the  27th,  two 
days  ago,  and  being  just  about  to  depart,  have  only 
time  to  thank  you  for  the  pains  you  have  taken  in 
the  affair  of  the  union,  and  wish  it  may  prosper  ; 
though  I  think  some  circumstances  may  be  added 
to  what  you  propose,  but  shall  say  nothing  of  it  till 
I  hear  further  from  you,  as  you  seem  to  wish.  I 
pray  that  you  may  be  blessed  in  your  studies,  and 
honoured  to  be  in  due  time  an  active  and  success- 
ful minister  of  Christ.  Remember  me  kindly  to 
Professor  Bonnet,  and  my  worthy  landlady,  who 
received  me  in  so  hospitable  a  manner. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  yours,  &c. 
"  JNO.  WITHERSPOON.'* 

To  ensure  success  to  any  plan,  which  had  for  its 
object  the  accommodation  of  the  existing  differen- 
ces, and  the  formation  of  independent  classes,  in  the 


RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND.  187 

Dutch  Church  in  this  country,  it  was  necessary  to 
consult  the  wishes  of  the  ministers  in  Holland,  by 
making  some  adequate  provision  in  the  plan,  for  the 
theological  instruction  of  young  men  designing  to 
enter  the  ministry.  This  provision  was  a  favourite 
point  with  the  transatlantic  brethren,  and  in  requir- 
ing it,  they  certainly  evinced  a  very  tender  regard 
to  the  best  interests  of  the  Church  ;  but  the  ques- 
tion was,  what  could  be  done  to  comply  with  their 
wishes  in  this  respect.  The  Ccetus  party,  in  pur- 
suance of  their  plan  of  rendering  themselves  inde- 
pendent of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  had  adopted 
measures  for  the  erection  of  an  "^c«rfe/w?/"  in 
New- Jersey,  in  which  pious  youth  might  be  educat- 
ed for  the  ministry,  and  had  already  indeed  obtained 
a  charter  for  the  same,  containing  nothing,  as  Mr. 
Lott,  the  intelligent  correspondent  of  Mr.  Living- 
ston, mentioned  in  the  preceding  chapter,  observes 
in  a  letter  dated  September,  1767,  "  of  Cosius  or 
Confer entie  in  it,  being  founded  on  the  constitution 
of  the  Church  of  Holland,  as  established  in  the 
national  Synod  of  Dort,"  and,  therefore,  likely  to 
make  it,  as  far  as  such  an  instrument  could  have 
influence,  a  popular  institution.*    But  there  was 

*  The  letter,  in  which  it  is  asserted  that  a  charter  had  been 
granted  for  this  literary  institution,  it  will  be  observed,  is  dated 
Sep.  1767.  But  the  charter  of  Queen's  (now  Rutgers  College) 
which  was  originally  established  by  the  Ccptus  party,  is  dated 


188  RESIDENCE   IN"  HOLLAND. 

no  one  competent  or' willing  to  undertake  the  dis- 
charge of  a  professor's  duties  in  this  academy  ;  or, 

March  20th,  1770.  To  account  for  the  discrepance  between  the 
letter  and  the  charter,  as  to  the  date  of  this  instrument,  it  is 
presumed  that  only  an  institution  of  a  secondary  rate  was  at 
first  contemplated,  and  that  the  difficulties  hinted  at  in  the  two 
next  sentences  above,  delaying  the  accomplishment  of  the 
enterprise,  it  was  afterwards  determined  to  make  it  a  College, 
for  which  a  new  charter  was  granted,  or  the  old  one,  with  the 
accessary  alterations  and  additions,  new  dated. 

The  following  is  a  part  of  the  preamble  to  the  College 
Charter,  which  is  extracted  from  an  address  delivered  by  the 
Kev.  Dr.  Milledoler,  the  worthy  President  of  Rutgers  College, 
at  a  late  commencement,  and  will  be  seen  to  contain  nothing 
that  could  have  been  justly  deemed  offensive  or   exceptionable. 

"  Whereas  our  loving  subjects,  being  of  the  Protestant 
Reformed  Religion,  according  to  the  constitution  of  the 
Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  Provinces,  and  using  the 
discipHne  of  the  said  Churches,  as  approved  and  instituted  by  the 
JVational  Synod  of  Dort,  in  the  year  1618  and  1619,  are,  in  this 
and  the  neighbouring  provinces,  very  numerous,  consisting  of 
many  Churches  and  religious  assemblies,  the  Ministers  and 
Elders  of  which  having  taken  into  serious  consideration  the 
manner  in  which  the  said  Churches  might  be  properly  supplied 
with  an  able,  learned,  and  well  qualified  ministry ;  and  thinking 
it  necessary,  and  being  very  desirous  that  a  college  might  be 
erected  for  that  purpose  within  this  our  province  of  New-Jersey, 
in  which  the  learned  languages,  and  other  branches  of  useful 
knowledge  may  be  taught,  and  degrees  conferred  ;  and  especially. 


KESIDENCB    IN   HOLLAND.  189 

if  a  person  fully  qualified  for  the  task,  and  inclined 
to  enter  upon  it,  could  have  been  found,  the  trus- 

that  young  men  of  suitable  abilities  may  be  instructed  in  divinity, 
preparing  them  for  the  ministry,  and  supplying  the  necessity  of 
the  Churches  ;  for  themselves,  and  in  behalf  of  their  Churches, 
presented  a  petition  to  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  William 
Franklin,  Esq.,  Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief,  in  and 
over  our  Province  of  New-Jersey,  in  America  ;  setting  forth, 
that  the  inconveniencies  are  manifold,  and  the  expenses  hea/y,  in 
either  being  supplied  with  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  from  foreign 
parts,  or  sending  young  men  abroad  for  education  ;  that  the  pre- 
sent, and  increasing  necessity  for  a  considerable  number  to  be 
employed  in  the  ministry,  is  great ;  that  a  preservation  of  a  fund 
for  the  necessary  uses  of  instruction  very  much  depends  upon  a 
charter,  and  therefore  humbly  entreat  that  some  persons  might  be 
incorporated  in  a  body  politic,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid :  and 
we  being  willing  to  grant  the  reasonable  request  and  prayer  of  the 
said  petitioners,  and  to  promote  learning  for  the  benefit  of  the 
community,  and  advancement  of  the  Protestant  Religion,  of  all 
denominations  ;  and  more  especially,  to  remove  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, the  necessity  our  said  loving  subjects  have  hitherto  been 
under  of  sending  their  youth  intended  for  the  ministry  to  a  fo- 
reign country  for  education,  and  of  being  subordinate  to  a  foreign 
ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  :  KNOW  ye,  therefore,  that  consi- 
dering the  premises,  WE  do  of  our  special  grace,  certain  know- 
ledge, and  mere  motion,  by  these  presents,  will,  ordain,  grant  and 
constitute,  that  there  be  a  college,  called  Queen's  College,  erect- 
ed in  our  said  Province  of  New-Jersey,  for  the  education  of 
youth  in  the  learned  languages,  jiberal  and  useful  arts  and  sciences, 
and  especially  in  divinity  ;  preparing   them  for  the  ministry,  and 


190  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

tees,  as  yet,  had  no  funds  for  his  support.  Nay, 
moreover,  the  same  letter  states,  that  it  was  not  then 
determined  ivhere  the  academy  should  be  located, 
and  that  the  question  had  produced  a  Httle  jealousy 
and  collision  among  the  trustees,  some  wishing  it 

other  good  offices  ;  and  that  the  trustees  of  the  said  college,  and 
their  successors  for  ever,  may  and  shall  be  one  body  corporate 
and  politic,  in  deed,  fact,  and  name ;  and  shall  be  called,  known, 
and  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  trustees  of  Queen's  College, 
in  New-Jersey. 

"  We  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
create,  ordain,  constitute,  nominate,  and  appoint,  the  Governor 
or  Commander  in  Chief,  the  President  of  the  Council,  our 
Chief  Justice,  and  our  Attorney  General  of  said  colony,  for 
the  time  being,  Sir  W.  Johnson,  Baronet,  and  Johannes  Henricus 
Goetschius,  Johannes  Leydt,  David  Maurinus,  Martinus  Van 
Harlingen,  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  aud  William  Jackson,  of  our 
said  colony  of  New- Jersey  ;  Samuel  Verbryk,  Barent  Vrooman, 
Maurice  Goetschius,  Ellardus  Westerlo,  John  Schuneman,  of 
our  province  of  New- York  ;  and  Philip  Wyberg,  and  Jonathan 
Dubois,  of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania  ;  Hendrick  Fisher,  Peter 
Zabriskie,  Peter  Hasenclever,  Peter  Schenck,  Tunis  Dey,  Philip 
French,  John  Covenhoven,  Henricus  Kuyper,  of  our  colony  of 
New-Jersey,  Esqrs.  ;  and  Simon  Johnson,  Philip  Livingston, 
Johannes  Hardenbergh,  Abraham  Hasbrook,  Theodorus  Van 
Wyck,  Abraham  Lott,  Robert  Livingston,  Levi  Pauling,  John 
BrinckerhofF,  Nicholas  Stilwill,  Martinus  Hoffman,  Jacob  H.  Ten 
Eyck,  John  Haring,  Isaac  Vrooman,  Barnardus  Ryder,  of  our 
province  of  New- York,  Esqrs.,  trustees  of  our  said  college,  in 
New- Jersey." 


RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND.  191 

to  be  placed  at  Hackensack,  and  others  at  New- 
Brunswick.* 

Knowing  these  facts,  which  made  it  very  impro- 
bable  that  the  Church  here  would  soon  be  able  to 
call  and  maintain  a  professor  for  herself ;  having 
previously,  as  it  would  seem,  matured  a  plan  for 
restoring  peace  to  this  divided  and  afflicted  portion 
of  Zion,  which  wanted  only  a  satisfactory  article  in 
relation  to  a  professor,  to  render  it  complete  and 
acceptable  to  all  parties  concerned ;  acquainted, 
too,  with  the  high  character  of  Dr.  Witherspoon,  as 
a  scholar  and  divine,  it  is  not  surprising  that  Mr. 


*  The  eftbrts  of  the  Ccetus  party,  at  this  time,  to  establish  a 
theological  seminary,  led  some  persons  (of  the  opposite  party 
it  is  supposed)  to  think  of  having  a  divinity-professor  in  King's 
College,  New- York,  under  the  sanction  of  a  clause  granting  the 
privilege  to  the  Dutch  Church,  which  vi^as  said  to  be  contained 
in  the  charter  of  that  Institution. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema,  a  staunch  Couferen tie-partisan,  and  one 
of  the  ministers  of  the  Church  of  New- York,  was  then  a  direc- 
tor of  the  college  ;  and  many  of  his  friends  expressed  a  wish  that 
he  should  receive  the  appointment.  The  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
as  appears  by  a  letter  of  one  of  its  members  (the  Rev.  Mr.  Tet- 
terode,)  dated  in  1771,  was  pleased  with  the  plan,  and  recommend- 
ed its  adoption,  until  a  college  for  the  Dutch  Church  could  be 
erected.  It  subsequently,  however,  advised  that  the  professor 
have  no  connexion  with  any  literary  institution. 


192  RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND. 

Livingston,  in  his  zeal,  should  either  have  proposed 
or  acceded  to  an  arrangement,  intended  perhaps  at 
the  time  to  be  merely  a  provisional  one,  and  pro- 
mising such  immediate  and  incalculable  benefits. 
It  does  not  appear  that  a  unio7i  of  the  Dutch  and 
Presbyterian  Churches  was  now  even  thought  of, 
much  less  designed  ;  but,  that  a  certain  connexion 
was  to  be  formed  with  Princeton  College,  simply 
with  a  view  to  the  preparation  of  pious  youth  of  the 
Dutch  Church  for  the  ministry,  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  a  man  in  whose  talents,  piety,  and 
orthodoxy,  the  Church  at  home,  and  the  Church 
abroad,  would  have  the  most  entire  confidence. 

That  this  was  the  project  in  embryo,  can  hardl}* 
be  doubted,  after  a  few  extracts  from  the  letters  of 
Mr.  Livingston's  friend  to  him  upon  the  subject, 
shall  have  been  perused.  *'  At  present,"  says  Mr. 
Lott,  in  a  letter  of  November,  1768,  *'from  a 
superficial  view  of  the  plan  you  mention,  it  ap- 
pears to  me,  it  will  meet  with  difficulty  and  objec- 
tions from  both  parties.  For  I  know  them  so  well, 
that  I  think  I  may  venture  to  prophecy,  that  as  long- 
as  their  present  spirit  of  power  and  dominion 
remains  with  them,  no  plan  will  be  accepted  of, 
however  reasonable  and  useful  the  same  may  be, 
unless  the  different  congregations  have  good  sense 
enough  to  agree,  whether  their  ministers  will  or 
will  not." 


RESIDENCE    IN    HQLLANO.  193 

In  another  of  December,  of  the  same  year,  after 
stating  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema  had  shown 
him  a  Dutch  letter,  which  that  gentleman  had 
received  from  Mr.  Livingston,  communicating  the 
outUnes  of  the  plan,  the  same  correspondent  adds, 
"  The  matter  being  still  new  to  me,  I  cannot  see 
how  it  can  possibly  take  place.  For,  in  the  first 
place,  I  beUeve  that  the  Conferentie  and  Coetus 
will  never  unite,  their  difference  being  of  such  a 
nature  that  they  dare  not  trust  each  other,  and  thus 
a  junction  [is]  morally  impossible  :  and  in  the 
next  place,  I  can't  see  how  a  local  junction  can  be 
brought  about  with  the  Presbyterians,  even  should 
the  jarring  Dutch  Churches  agree.'* 

To  provide  a  suitable  professor  for  the  academy 
as  it  was  then  denominated,  which  was  about  to 
be  erected,  Mr.  Livingston  had,  prior  to  the  visit 
of  Dr.  Witherspoon  to  Holland,  prevailed  upon  a 
number  of  liberal  individuals  there,  to  pay  the  ex- 
pense of  educating  a  poor  youth  of  piety  and  talents, 
and  of  Dutch  descent,  if  one  should  come  from 
America,  for  the  purpose  of  being  qualified  for  the 
station — and  had  accordingly  written  to  his  friends 
m  New- York,  requesting  them  to  select  and  send 
over  a  youth  of  this  description,  to  be  duly  quahfied. 
No  better  expedient  could  probably  have  been 

devised,  at  the  time,  to  supply  a  deficiency  whicb^ 

25 


194  KESIWENCE    IN    HOLLAND. 

while  it  remained  would,  as  he  had  reason  to  think, 
prevent  the  accomplishment  of  his  wishes  to  make 
peace ;  but  the  contemplated  connexion  with  Prince- 
ton College,  being  in  his  view,  a  preferable  expe- 
dient, he  despatched  a  letter,  as  soon  as  it  was 
agreed  upon,  revoking  the  request  he  had  made. 
In  reference  to  the  contents  of  this  letter,  his 
friend  observes, — "  As  I  am  afraid  that  your  favour- 
ite plan  will  not  take  place,  at  least  so  soon  as  you 
seem  to  expect,  let  me  recommend  to  you  again  to 
keep  your  Christian  friends  to  their  word  about 
maintaining  a  poor  boy.  We  help  to  maintain  a 
poor  but  sprightly  and  good  boy,  at  a  grammar 
school,  in  hopes  of  his  finishing  his  studies  in  Hol- 
land, as  you  proposed,  and  should  be  sorry  to  be 
disappointed  of  our  expectations." 

Under  date  of  March  the  28th,  1769,  the  same 
person  writes,  that  letters  had  been  received  from 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  "  directed  to  the  Coetus 
and  Conferentie  respectively,  mforming  them  of 
the  substance  of  the  plan  laid  by  them  before  the 
Synod,  for  accommodating  the  differences  and  heal- 
ing the  breach  caused  in  the  American  Church  by 
the  contending  parties."  After  noticing  the  con- 
duct of  the  leaders  of  each  party,  upon  the  receipt 
of  the  classical  letter  : — (and  from  the  statement 
made,  it  would  appear  that  those  of  the  Conferentie, 


RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND.  19»5 

with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Rysdyck,  being  violent- 
ly opposed  to  the  plan  offered  to  their  considera- 
tion, had  prepared  an  answer  without  consulting 
the  Elders  of  the  Churches — and  that  those  of  the 
Coetus,  with  more  prudence  and  respect,  before 
drawing  up  their  answer,  had  endeavoured  to  ascer- 
tain the  general  opinion,  in  relation  to  the  plan,  by 
means  of  a  circular  letter,  a  copy  of  which  had 
been  sent  to  a  member  of  the  Church  of  New- 
York  with  discretionary  power,)  he  adds : — "  As  far 
as  I  can  find,  the  whole  Coetus,  with  all  their  heart, 
(as  I  imagine  they  will  write  the  Classis)  as  well  as 
all  the  leading  members  of  our  Church,  wUl  cheer- 
fully agree  to  the  plan,  except  to  that  part  which 
relates  to  the  Local  Union  with  Princeton  College ; 
as  it  is  apprehended  much  mischief  would  arise  to 
our  cause,  from  a  union  with  that  or  any  other  Col- 
lege, at  this  present  time.  And  the  plan  proposed 
by  the  Classis  (if  the  parties  will  but  unite)  can  aS 
well  be  carried  into  execution  without  that  union 
as  with." 

In  another  letter,  dated  June,  1769,  he  has  the 
following  paragraph :  "  Our  Consistory  wrote  their 
sentiments  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  on 
the  11th  of  May,  about  the  difference  between  the 
Conferentie  and  Coetus,  and  gave  them  to  under- 


196  KESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

stand,  that  if  the  former  were  as  much  disposed  to 
make  peace  as  the  latter,  the  matter  would  be  soon 
settled.  The  principal  objection  against  the  pro- 
posed plan,  is  the  local  junction  with  Nassau-Hall, 
in  Princeton,  almost  every  body  judging  it  best 
that  we  neither  join  that  college,  nor  the  one  in  this 
city.     This  is  the  opinion  of  our  congregation." 

These  extracts  show  the  foundation  of  the  sup- 
position, that  the  union  alluded  to,  but  not  distinctly 
described,  in  the  letter  of  Dr.  Witherspoon,  was  to 
be  of  a  coUegial  kind,  or  to  give  to  the  institution 
over  which  he  expected  to  preside,  and  more 
particularly  to  himself,  as  an  approved  divine,  for  a 
time,  or  until  the  Church  could  have  a  professor  of 
her  own,  the  education  of  such  of  her  sons  as  had 
the  ministry  in  view.  And  though  the  article  relat- 
ing to  this  union  was  opposed  with  some  little  zeal ; 
yet  it  is  not  improbable  that  if  the  Classis  had  direct- 
ed all  the  Churches  to  meet  and  deliberate,  in 
convention,  upon  the  subject  of  their  communica- 
tion, the  plan  as  submitted,  or  at  least  in  a  modified 
form,  would  have  been  adopted,  and  had  the  desired 
effect.  That  order,  however,  was  not  given, 
and  the  sense  of  the  Church,  therefore,  was  but 
partially  taken  ;  and  the  answers  transmitted  to  the 
Classis,  being  upon  most  points  at  variance  with 


RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  197 

each  other,  nothing  more  was  done  for  the  present. 
The  whole  business  was  now  suffered  to  sleep  for 
awhile, 

Mr.  Livingston  had  cherished  sanguine  expecta- 
tions of  the  success  of  this  plan,  which  had  been 
referred  to  the  Church  with  the  approbation  of  the 
Synod  of  North  Holland ;  but  God  saw  fit  to  dis- 
appoint him  in  the  result,  to  give  him,  at  some  fu- 
ture day,  as  the  reward  of  his  benevolent  zeal,  a 
more  interesting  agency  in  the  reconciliation  of  his 
divided  brethren,  and  to  put  him  in  the  honourable 
place  which  he  had  sought  so  actively,  and  irrespec- 
tively of  any  private  advantage,  to  get  appropriated 
to  another  person. 

It  need  only  be  added  here,  that  the  accquaint- 
ance  which  he  and  Dr.  Witherspoon  formed  with 
each  other  in  Holland,  led  to  the  mutual  cultivation 
of  a  cordial,  and  warm,  and  lasting  friendship  be- 
tween them. 

About  the  same  time,  the  Church  of  New- York, 
as  the  building  called  the  North  Church  was  near 
being  completed,  and  it  was  evident  that  Dr.  Laidlie 
alone  could  not  render  all  the  service  which  would 
be  needed,  when  that  building  should  be  opened  for 


198  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

public  worship,  began  to  think  of  calling  another 
English  preacher. 

In  anticipation  of  this  emergency,  Dr.  Laidlie 
and  some  prominent  members  of  the  Church,  who 
had  become  intimate  friends  of  Mr.  Livingston, 
during  the  winter  he  spent  with  them  antecedently 
to  his  departure  for  Holland,  had  long  been  inclined 
towards  him  as  a  person  possessing  those  excellent 
qualities  desirable  in  a  pastor,  and  the  inclination 
being  confirmed  by  the  pleasing  intelligence  they 
had  now  and  then  received  respecting  him,  they 
did  not  hesitate  to  express  their  predilection  in 
favour  of  him.  A  number  of  the  congregation 
would  have  been  gratified,  if  a  call  had  been  imme- 
diately made  out  and  forwarded,  as  his  licensure  was 
expected  soon  to  take  place  ;  but  there  were  some 
who  wished  to  see  or  hear  first  an  account  of  his 
pulpit  talents,  and  others  who  thought  it  would  be 
rather  indiscreet  to  call  him  before  he  had  return- 
ed,— not  that  they  questioned  his  piety  or  ministerial 
gift ;  but  because  they  considered  it  proper  that 
they  should  have  an  opportunity  of  judging  a  Uttle 
for  themselves  of  his  qualifications  for  so  important 
a  station,  and  chiefly  because  they  apprehended 
that  his  voice  would  be  too  feeble  to  fill  their  large 
places  of  worship. 


BESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND.  199 

While  the  known  weakness  of  his  voice  and 
delicacy  of  his  health,  were  producing  this  diversi- 
ty of  sentiment  in  the  congregation  about  the  call, 
one  or  two  of  his  most  devoted  friends  felt  consider- 
able uneasiness  on  another  account.  They  had 
lately  discovered  that  he  was  averse  to  the  obser- 
vance of  the  holy  days,  as  they  were  denominated, 
and  knowing  that  the  conduct  of  Dr.  Laidlie  with 
respect  to  them,  had  given  offence,*  while  the  dis- 
covery remained  with  them  a  profound  secret,  they 
could  not  forbear  to  transmit  to  him  forthwith,  some 
plain  but  friendly  and  affectionate  counsel  upon  the 
subject.  The  one,  f  after  a  few  remarks  designed 
to  show  the  duty  and  necessity  of  conforming  to 
this  usage  of  the  Church,  and  made  apparently  in 
a  proper  spirit,  reminds  him  of  the  Apostle  Paul, 
who  became  all  things  to  all  men,  that  he  might  win 
some.  The  other  %  uses  more  freedom,  and  says, 
in  a  letter  dated  Nov.  1768,  "  I  cannot  avoid  telling 
you  that  we  differ  very  much  about  them,  and  it 
gives  me  real  inward  concern  to  find  that  you  stand 
affected  to  them  in  the  manner  you  mention.    Pray, 


*  Dr.  Laidlie,  it  seems,  had  denied  the  obhgation  of  these 
days,  and  though  he  usually  preached  upon  them,  would  take 
other  subjects  than  those  selected  for  them  by  the  Church  of 
Holland . 

t  Mr.  D.  Brinckerholi:  +  Mr.  Abraham  Lott= 


iiJOO  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

my  dear  Sir,  are  you,  then,  such  a  stranger  to  the 
people  of  the  Dutch  Church  of  this  city,  as  to 
imagine  that  the  sticklers  for  those  da)  s  are  only  to 
be  found  among  those  who  speak  Dutch  7  *  *  * 
Beheve  it,  my  friend,  although  a  Paul  was  to  attempt 
to  shake  them  off,  he  would  not  succeed.  Let  me 
advise  you  as  a  friend,  who  has  a  regard  for  you, 
who  wishes  you  well,  that  you  entirely  stifle  your 
sentiments  about  this  matter,  and  never  mention 
them  agam,  especially  if  you  have  any  thoughts  of 
becoming  (as  I  pray  God  you  may)  a  minister 
among  us."  And  in  a  letter  of  a  later  date,  he  en- 
deavours to  defend  the  observance  of  these  days 
with  some  httle  zeal — "  You  say  they  are  rather 
wicked  or  deviUsh  days,  than  holy  days  ; — ver}- 
true  :  but  would  the  neglect  of  preaching  on  those 
days  lessen  the  wickedness  practised  on  them  ?  I 
say  no.  For  by  leaving  off  preaching,  the  days 
would  not  be  abolished  (as  this  cannot  be  done  with- 
out the  intervention  of  the  Legislature)  but  left 
more  at  large  to  practise  vice  *  *  *  *.  This 
then  being  the  case,  it  is  undoubtedly  best  to  preach 
as  usual,  as  it  certainly  keeps  a  great  many  people 
who  will  not  work,  but  come  to  church,  out  of  the 
way  of  mischief.  And,  therefore,  if  you  have  any 
regard  for  yourself,  for  your  Church,  and  for  the 
advice  of  one  who  thinks  himself  j^our  friend,  con- 
form to  the  established  customs  and  rules  of  the 


RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND.  201 

Church  *  *  ;  and  however  much  I  approve  of 
your  consulting  Mr.  Laidlie  about  other  matters^ 
relating  to  the  good  of  the  Church,  I  can  by  n® 
means  approve  of  your  advising  with  him  ia 
matters  wherein  he  stands,  in  my  opinion,  wrong 
affected." 

Mr.  Livingston  repUed,  to  the  full  satisfaction  ol 
this  gentleman. 

As  the  Church  was  situated  at  the  time,  and 
while  the  laws  of  the  colony,  then  under  the  British 
government,  recognised  these  days  as  holy,  to 
observe  them  in  conformity  to  estabhshed  cus- 
torn,  was  not  only  prudent  conduct,  but  truly  a 
Christian  duty  ;  and  Mr.  Livingston,  in  yielding  to 
the  wishes  of  his  friends,  acted  a  very  commend- 
able part.  It  evinced  a  disposition  to  make  any 
reasonable  sacrifice  for  the  sake  of  promoting  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  a  Church,  which  had  already 
suffered  much  from  the  violence  of  intestine  dis- 
putes, and  in  which  there  were  yet  those  who  keenly 
watched  the  opportunity  to  excite  some  new  con- 
troversy. It  involved  no  abandonment  or  conces- 
sion of  pruiciple,  inasmuch  as  it  was  distinctly 
understood,  that  these  days  were  not  beheved  to  be 
of  Divine  appointment,  and  would  be  observed 

simply  to  prevent  evil  and  edify  the  congregation  : 

26       ^  '      " 


202:  RESIDENCE    IN  HOLLAND. 

and  for  submitting  to  the  prejudice  of  the  times, 
therefore,  in  a  matter  of  no  essential  moment,  with 
a  view  to  preserve  peace  and  do  good,  he  was 
deserving  of  more  praise  than  he  would  have  been, 
if,  reckless  of  the  consequences,  he  had  determined 
pertinaciously  and  vigorously  to  oppose  it.  There 
was  much  sound  practical  wisdom  in  the  submission. 
But  though  the  moderation  is  to  be  commended, 
which,  rather  than  insist  upon  the  immediate  aboli- 
tion of  these  days  while  there  was  such  a  strong 
prepossession  in  their  favour,  and  the  Church  was 
in  such  peculiar  circumstances,  tolerated  and  rec- 
tified the  use  of  them,  it  is  not  a  little  surprising 
that,even  at  the  present  day,  their  observance  should 
be  continued  in  many  congregations.  The  67th 
explanatory  article  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church 
expressly  declares,  "  that  the  Reformed  Church 
does  not  believe  the  days,  usually  called  holy  days, 
are  of  Divine  institution,  or  by  preaching  on  those 
days,  intends  any  thing  more  than  to  prevent  evil, 
and  promote  the  edification  of  the  people,  is 
evident  from  the  contents  of  the  53d  article  of  the 
Synod  of  Dordrecht,  held  in  the  year  1574."  This 
article  is  in  these  words : — "With  regard  to  feasts 
days,  upon  which,  besides  the  Lord's  day,  it  has 
been  customary  to  abstain  from  labour,  and  to 
assemble  in  the  Church,  it  is  resolved  that  we  must 
be  contented  with  the  Lord's  dav  alone.     The 


RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  20t> 

usual  subjects,  however,  of  the  birth  of  Christ,  of  his 
resurrection,  and  sending  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  may  be 
handled  and  the  people  be  admonished,  that  these 
feast  days  are  abolished."  Hence  it  appears  that 
the  fathers  of  the  Church  considered  the  observance 
of  these  days,  as  resting  solely  upon  the  command- 
ments and  doctrines  of  men ;  and,  though  they 
retained  them  for  the  purpose  of  counteracting,  by 
appropriate  discourses,  the  mfluence  of  the  papist*^ 
ical  superstitions  with  which  they  were  surround- 
ed, there  certainly  can  be  no  good  reason  for  such 
retention  in  a  country  where  that  influence  is  not 
to  be  dreaded  : — or  must  they  be  kept  for  ever, 
merely  to  inform  people,  in  succeeding  ages,  that 
they  were  abolished  at  the  Reformation?  To 
symbolize  longer  with  Catholics  of  Rome,  in  this 
practice,  is  calculated,  it  is  believed,  to  do  more 
harm  than  good — ^to  foster  rather  than  prevent 
superstition. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  1768,  in  compliance 
with  the  request  of  more  than  a  hundred  members 
of  the  congregation,  the  Consistory  convened  to 
receive  a  petition  relative  to  the  calling  of  another 
minister,  which  was  then  laid  before  them,  praying 
they  would  look  out  for  another  English  preacher, 
and  intimating  that  the  petitioners  would  be  grati- 
fied with  the  invitation  of  Mr.  Livingston.     They 


204  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

mimediately  and  unanimously  resolved  that  they 
would  endeavour  to  ascertain  whether  a  sufficient 
sum  of  money  could  be  raised  by  subscription,  to 
warrant  the  procedure  solicited,  and  directed, a 
subscription-paper  to  be  prepared  for  the  purpose. 
The  friend  *  who  advised  him  of  these  preparatory 
measures,  thus  concludes  the  account :  *'  Almost 
every  body  I  have  heard,  seems  well  pleased  that 
you  should  be  called,  and  so  they  appear  to  be  with 
every  part  of  your  character.  All  they  fear  is,  wheth- 
er you  will  have  voice  enough  for  our  Church  ;  for 
if  you  have  not,  say  they,  we  are  undone ;  what  shall 
we  do  with  a  minister  who  cannot  be  heard  through- 
out the  Church  ?  I  could,  therefore,  heartily  wish 
that  you  may  for  some  time  past  have  exercised 
your  voice  in  the  pulpit,  as  I  am  convinced  it  may 
be  there  much  modelled  and  improved.  And  if  it 
is  strong  enough,  can't  you  get  one  or  more  of  your 
friends  to  give  a  certificate  about  it,  and  enclose  it 
to  me  ?  Much  good  may  come  from  such  a  step." 

By  a  letter  from  the  same  person,  dated  April  1, 
1769,  it  appears  that  the  Consistory  had  the  day 
before  resolved  to  call  Mr.  Livingston ;  and  that 
the  call,  when  made  out,  was  to  be  sent  to  some 
Ministers  in  Amsterdam,  with  particular  instruc- 

*  Mr.  Lott. 


RESIDKNCJE    IN    HOLLAND.  1^05 

tions  not  to  deliver  it,  unless  they  were  well  assured 
that  he  had  sufficient  strength  of  voice  to  fill  a 
large  building.  In  another  letter,  written  the  fol- 
lowing June,  he  says :  "  Our  third,  or  rather  North 
Church,  was  opened  for  Divine  service  by  Mr. 
Laidlie,  on  the  25th  ult.  (May,)  by  a  very  pathetic 
discourse  from  John  4th  and  23d,  showing  wherein 
the  true  Gospel  doctrine  consists  ;  in  which  he  ap- 
proved himself  very  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
who  heard  him,  and  particularly  to  our  Governor, 
who  honoured  us  with  his  presence  on  that  occasion. 
Mr.  Laidlie  now  preaches  three  times  every 
Sunday ;  to  wit :  in  the  morning  and  evening  in  the 
New,  and  in  the  afternoon  in  the  North  Church,  to 
which  if  we  add  his  catechising,  you  will  agree 
Iiis  labours  must  be  weighty.  You  cannot,  there- 
fore, be  surprised  to  hear  our  call  to  you  to  come 
over  to  our  Macedonia  to  help  us.  May  the  ever 
blessed  Jesus  make  your  way  prosperous  to  us,  and 
may  you  come  among  us  with  a  full  blessing  of  the 
everlasting  covenant  !" 

Having  finished  his  studies  at  the  university, 
Mr.  Livingston  appeared  before  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam, on  the  5th  June,  1769,  to  be  examined  for 
licensure,  and  the  evidence  given  of  his  personal 
piety,  and  of  his  acquirements,  literary  and  theolo- 
gical, being  satisfactory  to  that  rev.  body,  he  be- 


206  RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND. 

came  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  or  what  is  called 
in  Holland,  a  proponent.  His  first  sermon  he 
preached  in  the  Dutch  language,  for  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Van  Issum,  his  examinator  in  the  Classis,  at  Hil- 
versum,  a  village  to  the  east  of  Amsterdam. 

Soon  afterwards,  he  preached  again  in  Dutch,  at 
Purmerend,  a  small  city  in  North  Holland  : — in 
English  in  the  English  Church  in  Amsterdam  ;  and 
again  in  English  in  the  Scotch  Church  in  Rotterdam, 
whether  in  the  same  building  in  which  his  distin- 
guished ancestor  had  often  proclaimed  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation,  or  another,  is  not  known,  but 
that  it  was  the  same  is  thought  probable. 

This  commencement  of  his  public  labours  was 
of  a  very  promising  character.  Enjoying,  in  no 
common  degree,  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  nu- 
merous Christian  friends,  as  a  young  man  experimen- 
tally acquainted  with  the  power  of  Divine  grace  ;  * 
— with  intellectual  powers  and  attainments  much 
above  mediocrity  ;  — with  a  voice  naturally  weak 

*  Among  the  letters  and  notes  addressed  to  him  about  this  time, 
by  his  Holland  friends,  there  is  one  containing  a  postscript  in 
these  words  ;  "  Mrs.  ******  expresses  her  mos* 
friendly  regards  for  the  good  JVlr.  Livingston ;" — a  familiar  way,  it 
would  seem,  of  speaking  of  him,  that  shows  the  high  estimation 
in  which  his  piety  was  held. 


RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND.  207 

and  effeminate,  and  concerning  which  so  many 
fears  had  been  entertained  and  expressed  in 
New- York,  now  greatly  improved  by  the  atten- 
tion he  had  paid  to  its  modulation,  and  suscep- 
tible of  the  richest  intonations ;  with  a  manner  pe- 
culiarly interesting  and  solemn,  he  made  by  these 
early  efforts  in  the  pulpit  a  very  favourable  impres- 
sion. Of  the  opinion  formed  of  his  talents  as  a 
preacher,  and  of  his  quaUfications  for  the  situation 
to  which  he  was  invited,  this  fact  is  evidence 
enough — that  in  about  a  month  after  he  was  licen- 
sed, the  call  was  put  into  his  hands  by  the  gentlemen 
who  were  conditionally  charged  with  its  delivery. 

Expecting  to  remain  yet  some  time  in  Holland, 
and  thinking,  probably,  that  it  might  be  of  consider- 
able advantage  to  him  to  be  able  to  produce  when  he 
should  return  to  America,  what  was  then  regarded 
as  a  valuable  testimonial  of  proficiency  in  theology, 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  he  concluded  to 
present  himself  before  the  theological  faculty  of  the 
university  of  Utrecht,  a  candidate  for  the  same. 
And  here  it  ought  to  be  remarked,  that  it  was  not 
customary  for  that  university  to  confer  honorary 
degrees  ;  and  that  the  distinction  now  sought,  could 
not  be  obtained  but  by  his  submitting  to  a  pretty 
severe  ordeal.  He  must  be  examined  and  re- 
examined, and  after  being  sifted  by  the  learned 


208  RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND. 

Faculty  for  a  whole  day,  he  must  produce  and  pre- 
pare himself  to  defend  the  next  day,  agamst  the 
adverse  arguments  of  the  professors,  two  short 
discourses,  the  subjects  of  which  are  to  be  selected 
for  him,  the  one  from  the  Old  Testament,  and  the 
other  from  the  New.  And  he  must  answer,  and 
write,  and  defend,  altogether  in  the  Latin  language. 
Nor  is  this  all,  another  dissertation  is  then  to  be 
prepared,  and  published  in  Latin,  which  he  must 
publicly  support  before  the  whole  university. 

Though  by  no  means  a  person  of  the  firmest 
nerve,  Mr.  Livingston  ventured  these  appalling 
trials,  and  having  passed  the  first  with  approbation, 
he  was  permitted  to  prepare  for  the  second.  Ac- 
cordingly, in  the  course  of  the  next  v*^inter,  he  wrote 
a  dissertation  upon  the  Sinai  covenant  ("  De 
Foedere  Sinaitico,")  and  sent  it  to  the  press.  But 
he  was  now  about  to  leave  a  country  in  which  he 
had  spent  many  happy  hours,  and  formed  many  ten- 
der connexions — and  the  thought  of  separating  from 
his  beloved  friends — the  anxiety  attending  his  pre- 
parations for  a  return — and  possibly,  too,  some 
little  dread  of  the  public  exhibition  itself,  for  no 
one  of  any  modesty  and  sensibility  could  look 
forward  to  such  a  trial  without  dreading  it, 
produced  a  depression  of  spirits,  that  he  could 
jiot  then  shake  off,  and  led  him  to  abandon  his  de- 


RESIDENCE  IN  HOLLAND.  4^09 

Sign  of  appearing  before  the  university.  Under 
the  influence  of  his  present  feelings,  he  suddenly 
stopped  the  printing  of  his  dissertation,  when  he 
had  received  the  first  proof,  and  commenced  a  hasty 
travel  to  visit  his  friends  in  different  places,  for  the„ 
last  time,  and  bid  them  an  affectionate  adieu. 

From  his  notes  of  the  incidents  of  this  period,  it 
would  appear,  that  he  went  first  to  Amsterdam, 
chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  applying  for  ordination* 
The  Classis  met  on  the  2d  of  April,  and  at  this 
meeting,  they  approved  his  call,*  invested  him 
with  the  ministerial  office,  and  consigned  him  to  the 
Church  of  New-York.  This  important  business 
done,  he  begun  in  earnest  the  performance  of  the 
painful  duty  which  the  prospect  of  his  departure,  as 
not  far  off,  imposed  upon  him  ;  and  while  at  Rotter- 
dam, thus  engaged,  he  received  a  letter  fi:-om  an 
Amsterdam  friend,  censuring  his  conduct  in  rela- 
tion to  the  theological  degree,  and  strongly  urging 
him  to  the  final  step  necessary  to  its  acquisition. 

That  Mr.  Livingston  had  no  ambition,  or  that 
he  was  not  at  all  desirous  of  distinction,  nor  gratifi- 
ed when  it  was  bestowed,  is  not  pretended.     We 


*  Another  call  was  presented  to  him  from  one  of  the  Churches 
in  Amsterdam,  but  as  it  was  not  his  intention  to  remain  in  HoT 
land,  the  call  was  respectfully  declinef^. 

27 


210  RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND. 

have  no  wish  to  represent  him  in  this  Memoir,  as 
free  from  the  imperfections  and  weaknesses  of  hu- 
man nature  ;  but,  while  it  is  granted  that  he  had  his 
share  of  these,  it  is,  nevertheless,  beheved  that 
grace  reigned  in  his  heart,  and  that  when  he 
thought  upon  things  of  good  report,  or  endeavour- 
ed to  advance  his  reputation,  he  did  so,  rather  to 
extend  his  usefulness  in  the  Church,  than  to  indulge 
an  anxiety  for  the  notice  a  sd  applause  of  others. 
And  it  is  beheved  that,  in  complying  afterwards  with 
the  advice  of  his  friend,  he  acted  under  a  strong 
conviction  of  duty — a  conviction  that  the  degree 
sought  would,  if  obtained,  give  some  weight  to  his 
name,  and  would  thus  be  a  means  of  promoting  his 
usefulness.  He  had  a  tender  conscience — he  was 
afraid  of  sin,  and  of  the  very  appearance  of  sin  ;  and 
when  he  came  to  the  conclusion  of  the  letter,  as 
he  read  the  following  quotation  of  scripture,  "There- 
fore to  him  that  knoweth  to  do  good  and  doeth  it 
not,  to  him  it  is  sin,''^  the  impression  was  irresisti- 
ble, that  he  would  be  chargeable  with  culpable  neg- 
lect, seeing  he  was  apparently  so  near  the  attain- 
ment of  the  object,  if  he  now  relinquished  it — and 
the  degree,  as  before  hinted,  possessed  at  that  day, 
in  the  estimation  of  the  Church,  all  the  importance 
he  attached  to  it.  He,  accordingly,  determin  d  to 
follow  the  advice  given ;  and  set  upon  preparing, 
without  delay,   an  ahridgement  of  his  dissertation 


RESIDENCE    IN    HOLLAND.  211 

for  the  press.  Devoting  his  mornings  to  the  work, 
and  what  he  had  previously  written  being  fresh  in 
his  mind,  he  accompHshed  it  with  ease,  during  tiie 
few  days  he  spent  at  Rotterdam  and  the  Hague,  in 
making  farewell  visits  ;  and  upon  his  return  to 
Utrecht,  he  had  it  printed.  But  the  business  was  not 
yet  finished,  the  severest  task,  and  which  would  put 
his  merits  fully  to  the  test,  was  still  to  be  perform- 
ed. He  must  defend  his  little  pamphlet  against 
learned  and  well-practised  disputants,  before  a 
large  assembly,  consisting  of  the  professors  and 
regents  of  the  University,  and  many  other  eminent 
per&onages. 

The  interesting  and  decisive  day  at  length  ar- 
rived : — It  was  the  16th  day  of  May,  1770 ; — and 
Mr.  Livingston  was  then  just  twenty-four  years  of 
age.  The  assembly  convened  at  the  appointed 
hour,  a  band  of  music  attended,  and  much  splen- 
did ceremony  was  observed  upon  the  occasion — 
enough,  indeed,  to  appal  the  courage  of  any  candi- 
date for  distinction  ;  and,  no  doubt,  our  young  can- 
didate, as  he  surveyed  the  imposing  scene,  could 
have  said,  — 

"  A  faint,  cold  fear  thrills  through  my  veins, 
'*  That  almost  freezes  up  the  heat  of  life/' 

Several  learned  gentlemen  controverted  some 


^13  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

of  the  positions  advanced  in  his  dissertation,  but 
he  successfully  maintained  them  ;  and  the  disputa- 
tion, which  was  in  the  I^atin  language,  and  lasted 
nearly  two  hours,  affording  sufficient  evidence  of 
his  erudition,  the  professors,  shortly  after  it  termi- 
nated, conferred  upon  liim,  with  the  usual  forms, 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Theology.  The  diploma 
he  received  is  signed  by  Meinardus  Tydeman, 
Rector,  and  Franciscus  Burmannus,  Doctor  and 
Professor  of  Sacred  Theology. 

Having  now  accomplished  his  wish,  and  having 
completed  all  the  necessary  preparations  for  his 
departure.  Doctor  Livingston  took  leave  of  Hol- 
land, and  embarked  at  Helvetsluijs,  for  England, 
about  the  first  of  June,  1770.  Upon  his  arrival  at 
Harwich,  to  which  place  the  passage  had  been  a 
quick  and  agreeable  one,  he  immediately  passed  up 
to  London,  and  there  tarried  with  Mr.  John  Har- 
rison, a  respectable  merchant  of  that  city,  with 
whom  he  had  occasionally  corresponded,  and  who 
had  politely  invited  him  to  his  house. 

He  availed  himself  of  his  short  stay  in  England 
to  visit  Oxford,  and  was  introduced  to  Doctor 
Benjamin  Kennicott,  the  celebrated  Hebrew  scho- 
lar, then  engaged  in  that  stupendous  work  to  which 
biblical  criticism  is  so  much  indebted — the  collation 


RESIDENCE   IN   HOLLAND.  2lS 

of  Hebrew  manuscripts.  The  Doctor  had  the  ho- 
nour of  breakfasting  with  this  learned  and  indefati- 
gable Hebrician,  and  of  being  taken,  after  the  repast, 
into  the  chamber  where  his  amazing  labours  were 
performed.  He  had  been  already  ten  years  em- 
ployed in  the  preparation  of  his  Bible,  and  was  now 
only  about  half  through  it.  "  He  showed  me,"  says 
the  Doctor,  "  several  of  his  most  admired  manu- 
scripts. The  manner  in  which  he  proceeded  was, 
to  take  one  Une  from  Van  Der  Hooght's  Bible, 
which  he  considered  to  be  the  most  correct  copy  of 
the  Hebrew  text,  and  paste  that  line  upon  the  top 
of  a  page  of  a  blank  foUo  book,  and  then,  under 
that  line,  to  write  all  the  variations  which  his  manu- 
scripts furnished  in  that  line." 

This  extraordinary  visit  could  not  soon  be  forgot- 
ten ;  but  a  most  gratifying  memorial  of  it,  in  the 
hand-writing  of  that  distinguished  man,  was  obtain- 
ed before  they  parted.  In  the  Doctor's  Album, 
which  contains  a  variety  of  little  sententious  pieces 
in  Greek,  and  Latin,  and  Dutch,  with  the  names  of 
Bonnet,  Burmannus,  Ravius,  Tydeman,  Vander- 
kemp,  Elsnerus,  and  other  eminent  literati  of 
Holland,  underwritten,  there  are  a  few  lines  in  He- 
brew characters,  beautifully  formed,  and  accompa- 
nied with  this  sign-manual — 

BENJ;  KENNICOTT, 

R  Coll :  Exon  :  Oxoti : 


214  RESIDENCE    IN   HOLLAND. 

Doctor  Livingston  remained  about  a  month  in 
England.  He  then  sailed  from  Falmouth,  for  New- 
York,  where,  having  been  preserved  during  a 
long  absence,  under  the  shadow  of  the  wings  of  a 
good  God,  and  grateful  fir  the  mercies  he  had  ex- 
perienced, he  safely  arrived  on  the  third  day  of 
September,  1770. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


FROM    HIS  RETURN  TO  NEW-YORK,    TILL   THE  CLOSE 
OF  THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR. 

It  was  on  a  Sabbath  morning  that  Dr.  Livingston 
reached  the  city  of  New- York.  The  peace  and 
sacredness  of  God's  day,  while  naturally  repressive 
of  levity  of  behaviour  and  superfluous  congratula- 
tions upon  the  occasion  of  his  return,  well  accorded 
with  the  feelings  now  predominant  in  his  own 
breast,  and  in  that  of  every  pious  member  of  the 
Church,  and  afforded  an  immediate  opportunity  for 
the  devout  and  suitable  expression  of  them  in  the 
sanctuary  of  the  Lord.  He  had  returned,  by  the 
favour  of  Heaven,  with  health  restored,  as  a  mes- 
senger of  the  Gospel  of  Peace,  and  to  a  numerous 
and  respectable  flock,  bearing  the  pecuharly  tender 
and  solemn  relation  of  a  pastor.  It  was  a  season, 
therefore,  without  doubt,  of  holy  joy  and  thanks- 
giving; and,  on  account  of  many  interesting  recol- 
lections, which  could  not  but  be  associated  with  it, 
as  well  as  the  new  and  mutual  responsibiUties  it 
realized,  both  to  him  and  to  all  his  friends,  the  first 
interview  must  have  been  very  affecting.      The 


216  SETTtEMENT   IN   NEW-VORK. 

succeeding  Sabbath,  he  preached  in  the  Middle 
Church,  in  Nassau-street,  to  a  large  and  attentive 
auditory,  from  1  Cor.  1.  22,  23,  24— For  the  Jeics 
require  a  sign,  and  the  Greeks  seek  after  wisdom  : 
but  we  preach  Christ  crucified,  unto  the  Jews  a 
stumhling-block,  and  unto  the  Greeks  foolishness ; 
hut  unto  them  which  are  called  both  Jews  and. 
Greeks,  Christ  the  power  of  God,  and  the  ivisdom 
of  God : — and  having  delivered  this  introductory 
sermon,  he  was  then  acknowledged,  in  a  suitable 
manner,  by  the  Rev.  Messrs  Ritzema  and  De 
Ronde,  and  Dr.  Laidlie  and  the  Consistory — one 
of  the  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
of  New- York. 

Dr.  Livingston  commenced  the  discharge  of  his 
pastoral  duties  with  great  dihgence  and  zeal.  He 
assumed  at  once  a  full  share  of  pulpit  and  parochial 
labours  ;  preaching  regularly  twice  on  the  Sabbath, 
making  visits  among  the  people,  and  attending  two, 
and  sometimes  three,  catechetical  exercises  every 
week — an  amount  of  service,  it  will  be  admitted  by 
aU  who  are  competent  judges  of  the  matter,  which 
few  young  men,  under  similar  circumstances,  would 
have  had  the  courage  to  undertake,  and  fewer  still 
the  ability  satisfactorily  to  fulfil.  But  though  only 
just  settled  in  a  populous  city,  where  interruptions 
to  study  and  occasional  avocations,  not  always  of 


SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK.  217 

a  professional  nature,  are  numerous  and  unavoid- 
able J  though  connected  with  a  large  congregation 
whose  situation  was  a  little  peculiar,  provided  with 
few  sermons,  and  associated  with  colleagues  of  es- 
tablished character,  as  judicious  and  able  preachers, 
he  did  not  hesitate  to  attempt  his  part,  and  he  per- 
formed it  to  general  acceptance. 

The  fervour  of  pious  feeling  which  he  uniformly 
discovered,  both  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit ;  his  af- 
fectionate, dignified,  and  prudent  deportment ;  and 
the  style  of  his  preaching,  novel,  yet  plain  and  for- 
cible, admirably  calculated  to  engage  attention,  to 
alarm  the  consciences  of  sinners,  and  particularly 
to  comfort  and  build  up  believers  in  faith  and  holi- 
ness, rendered  him  indeed  in  a  high  degree,  beloved 
and  popular.  His  labours,  if  arduous  and  weighty, 
were  pleasant.  Blessed  with  a  number  of  g^dly 
and  devoted  friends,  who  sincerely  and  constantly 
prayed  for  him,  and  by  various  little  attentions  or 
expressions  of  kind  solicitude,  encouraged  without 
flattering  him,  he  was  cheered  and  sustained  in  his 
work  :  blessed,  too,  with  a  coadjutor  (Dr.  Laidlie) 
who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  state  of  the  con- 
gregation and  who  was,  at  any  time,  ready  to  afford 
him  all  the  counsel  and  assistance  in  his  power,  he 

28 


218  SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK. 

toiled  with  alacrity,  and  his  reputation  and  use- 
fulness daily  increased. 

It  was  necessary  that  he  should  apply  himself 
closely  to  study  : — and  he  was  a  hard  and  indefati- 
gable student :  he  employed  every  moment  al- 
most, not  otherwise  occupied,  in  the  vigorous  pur- 
suit of  knowledge,  and  in  the  preparation  of  his 
sermons :  he  read,  and  thought,  and  wrote  with 
scarce  any  intermission,  excepting  what  was  re- 
quisite for  attending  to  other  important  duties  of 
his  station.  At  the  beginning  of  his  ministry,  he 
wrote  his  sermons  entirely  out,  and  conunitted  them 
to  memory  ;  but  finding  his  health  to  be  affected 
by  such  severe  labour,  he  afterwards  accustomed 
himself  to  preach  from  full  notes,  or  what  he  called 
"  a  copious  analysis." 

This  mode  of  preaching  gave  a  freer  scope  for 
the  exercise  of  his  powers  :  it  was  exactly  suited 
to  his  pecuUar  gifts  ;  and  often  the  amplitude  of  his 
intellectual  views  was  so  striking,  and  the  degree 
of  feeling  with  which  he  delivered  his  discourses 
was  so  strong,  and  his  manner  altogether  of  addres- 
sing his  hearers,  was  so  singular  and  impressive, 
that  he  was  heard  with  the  deepest  attention  and 
with  delight.     Pious  and  judicious  persons  con- 


SETTLEMENT   IN  NEW- YORK  219 

sidered  him  a  preacher  of  first-rate  excellence, 
and  he  soon  acquired  by  his  public  ministra- 
tions, by  the  habitual  suavity  of  his  manners 
in  private  intercourse,  and  by  his  unwearied  exer- 
tions to  do  good  at  all  times  and  in  all  places,  an 
influence  which  is  rarely  possessed  by  one  so  young 
in  the  service  of  his  Master. 

This  high  standmg  in  the  Church,  contributed 
greatly  to  the  ultimate  success  of  his  endeavours 
to  carry  the  plan  that  had  been  devised  for  promo- 
ting the  general  welfare  of  the  Church. — Soon 
after  his  settlement  in  New- York,  he  sought  with 
his  characteristical  prudence  and  zeal,  to  bring 
about  a  reconciliation  between  the  Coetus  and  Con- 
ferentie  parties  ; — an  object  which,  as  the  reader 
has  seen,  lay,  for  years  before,  very  near  his  heart, 
and  which  he  had  attempted,  but  in  vain,  to  accom- 
pHsh  when  he  was  in  Holland.  The  circumstance  of 
his  having  been  educated  abroad, — his  present  con- 
nexion with  the  Church  of  New- York,  which  had 
happily,  at  no  time,  taken  a  part  in  the  great  con- 
troversy,— and  his  distinguished  reputation,  gained 
him,  in  a  httle  while,  an  extensive  acquaintance 
among  the  ministers  of  both  parties,  and  conse- 
quently many  opportunities  of  calling  their  atten- 
tion to  the  subject.  These  opportunities,  when- 
ever presented,  he  failed  not  to  improve.     As  an 


220  SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK. 

evidence  of  his  assiduity,  a  paragraph  from  a  letter 
which  he  wrote  the  following  June,  while  he  was 
paying  a  short  visit  to  his  friends  at  Poughkeepie, 
to  Dr.  Laidlie,  *  is  here  inserted.    "  What  conver- 

*The  love  he  bore  his  respected  colleague  is  strongly  expres- 
sed in  the  letter ;  and,  as  a  memorial  of  their  pious  friendship,  a 
few  additional  extracts  are  subjoined. 

^'  M^  dearest  Colleague  and  Brother  in  Christ, 

"  With  pleasure  I  converse  with  you,  though  at  such  a  dis- 
tance :  past  times  seem  to  recur  to  my  mind,  when,  at  a  greater 
distance,  I  expressed  my  love  to  you  in  this  way.  The  Lord  has 
been  with  me  since  I  left  you.  On  the  water  it  was  tedious,  on 
account  of  the  number  of  passengers.  I  arrived  home  on  Friday, 
P.M.  being  48  hours  on  the  water.  A  kind  providence  to  my 
whole  family  gives  me  fresh  opportunity  to  rejoice  in  the  goodness 
of  the  Lord.  Last  Sunday,  A.M.  I  preached  here,  and  was  much 
assisted  to  speak  of  Jesus  and  salvation  through  his  merits.  I 
thought  much  of  our  Church  in  New- York  the  whole  day,  (as  in- 
deed every  day  that  is  much  on  my  heart,)  and  especially  sympa- 
thized with  my  dear  Laidlie  ;  my  prayers  were  for  you,  that  God 
would  support  and  bless  you.  The  country  air,  the  new  amuse- 
ments, and  caresses  of  near  relations,  have  refreshed  both  soul 
and  body.  I  feel  cheerful  and  hearty,  and  am  convmced  that  it  is 
necessary  sedentary  persons  should  now  and  then  take  tours  of 
this  kind.  When  I  am  walking-  among  the  trees,  and  ascend  a 
hill,  or  gain  from  any  little  eminence  a  fine  extended  prospect,  I 
draw  in  the  wholesome  air,  and  am  apt  to  say — '  Man  was  made 
to  live  in  the  country,  to  trace  the  footsteps  of  his  Maker's  pow- 
f^x  and  wisdom  in  the  vegetable  world.'    Nothing  certainly  but 


SETTLEMENT    IN  NEW- YORK.  221 

satioii  T  have  already  had  with  some  of  the  parti- 
zans  in  the  Dutch  Churches,  I  will  communicate 
to  you  when  I  return  to  town.  That  bitter  spirit, 
which  has  so  much  prevailed,  begins  to  subside,  and 
it  is  the  general  sentiment  that  something  must  be 
done  in  order  to  open  the  way  for  that  regular  es- 
tablishment so  necessary  for  the  education  of  youths 
for  the  ministry.  As  I  have  scarce  time  to  write 
this  letter  in  haste,  I  shall  refer  this  to  a  conversa- 
tion. You  know  the  love  I  have  for  yourself  will 
make  your  sentiments  always  weighty  with  me." 

It  was  stated  in  the  last  chapter,  that  articles  of 
union  had  been  referred  to  the  parties  respectively, 
by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam ;  and  that  in  conse- 

the  pleasures  and  superior  advantages  of  society,  can  compensate 
for  the  loss  of  those  pleasures  which  the  country  affords  superior 
to  the  town.  The  more  I  am  refreshed  in  my  present  situation, 
the  more  I  wish  to  have  you  with  me,  a  partaker  in  these  rural 
delights.  This,  however,  I  know  to  be  impossible  ;  but  shall 
insist,  on  my  return,  that  you  take  the  same  tour,  as  soon  as  your 
family  and  circumstances  will  permit  your  leaving  home,  whilst 
your  health  and  cheerfulness  add  to  my  own.      ***** 

"  I  never  fefl  how  much  I  love  you,  as  when  I  am  absent  from 
you.  The  Lord  be  with  you,  and  give  you  what,  as  a  father,  he 
knows  to  be  best. 

"Your  most  affectionate  Friend  and  Brother, 

«  June  11,  1771.  ,T.  H.  L." 


W&  SETTLEMENT   IN  NEW-YORK. 

quence  of  its  being  proposed  in  them  to  form  a 
connexion  with  Princeton  College,  and  of  the  neg- 
lect of  the  Classis  to  order  a  convention  of  the 
Churches,  to  dehberate  upon  the  plan,  the  refer- 
ence had  proved  abortive. 

Subsequently,  and  but  a  short  time  before  the 
Doctor  came  back  to  his  native  country,  the  Classis 
was  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  North  Holland, 
through  his  influence  with  this  rev.  body,  a  commit- 
tee, with  plenary  power  to  do  whatever  they  might 
judge  would  be  conducive  to  the  interests  of  the 
American  Church,  and  between  the  clerical  mem- 
bers of  the  Classis  and  the  Doctor,  there  existed  a 
perfect  understanding  in  relation  to  the  plan 
which,  after  his  return,  should  be  offered  to  the 
consideration  of  his  brethren.  This  plan,  thus 
privately  approved,  it  is  probable  was  the  old  one 
new-shaped,  the  obnoxious  article  mentioned  above 
being  omitted ;  or  it  embraced  the  same  cardinal 
principles,  which  there  was  reason  to  believe  would, 
when  understood,  be  generally  viewed  as  unexcep- 
tionable, and  as  constituting  a  suitable  basis  for  a 
union  of  parties. 

The  Doctor  now  found,  upon  conferring  with 
pious  and  influential  men  of  both  parties,  as  he 
observes  in  the  paragraph  of  his  letter  just  quoted. 


SETTLEMENT   IN   NEW-YORK.  223 

that  the  bitter  spirit,  which  had  so  much  prevailed, 
begun  to  subside,  or  that  the  severity  of  temper 
and  violence,  which  had  heretofore  marked  the  con- 
troversy, were  no  longer  to  be  seen,  and  a  desire 
for  the  adoption  of  some  project  that  would  give 
satisfaction  to  all  concerned,  appeared  to  be  che- 
rished ;  he,  therefore,  ventured  to  hint  at  one.  He 
did  not  at  once  exhibit  that  which  he  had  provided, 
but  in  a  modest  and  discreet  manner,  endeavoured 
first  to  learn  the  sentiments  of  those  with  whom  he 
conversed,  with  respect  to  the  great  objects  it  con- 
templated, and  then  to  remove  objections,  if  any 
were  made,  in  order  to  prepare  the  way  for  its 
acceptance. 

By  this  prudent  procedure,  he  soon  became 
convinced  that  the  articles  in  his  possession  would 
be  favourably  received  by  the  Church,  and  that  it 
was  expedient  to  adopt  some  measure,  without  de- 
lay, for  the  purpose  of  laying  them  formally  before 
it.  He  accordingly  suggested  to  his  Consistory, 
that  as  they  had  not  engaged  on  either  side  of  the 
unhappy  dispute,  their  influence,  if  used,  could  pro- 
bably procure  a  general  convention,  and  proposed 
that  letters,  stating  the  object  in  view — requesting 
the  attendance  of  every  minister  belonging  to  the 
Church,  and  of  one  elder  from  every  congregation, 
and  fixing  the  time  and  place  of  meeting,  should  be 


224  SETTLEMENT   IN  NEW-YORK* 

forthwith  despatched  in  their  name.  The  Consis- 
tory promptly  compHed  with  iiis  wishes,  and  in  the 
following  October,  the  convention  was  held  at 
New-York. 

The  minutes  of  the  body  are  headed  "Acts  of  the 
Reverend  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Reformed  Low  Dutch  Churches  in  the  Provinces 
of  New- York  and  New-Jersey,  convened  in  the 
city  of  New- York,  on  the  15th,  I6th,  17th,  and  18th 
days  of  Oct.  1771 ,  at  the  friendly  request  of  the  Rev. 
Consistory  of  New- York,  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
curing peace  and  unity  to  said  Churches."  And 
the  first  Article,  which  relates  to  the  arrival  and 
introduction  of  the  members,  is  in  part  in  these 
words  :  *'  The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived  and 
being  convened,  were  solemnly  welcomed  by  the 
Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  S.S.  T.  D.,  and  Minister 
in  New- York.  After  the  delivery  of  an  appro- 
priate sermon  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  De  Ronde,  who  had 
been  appointed  by  the  Consistory  to  preach  at  the 
opening  of  the  Assembly,  the  President  was  chosen, 
and  the  choice  is  thus  recorded.  The  Rev  Dr. 
John  H.  Livingston,  minister  in  New-York  as  pre- 
sent Proeses  of  the  conciliating  Consistory  of  New- 
York,  and  with  the  knowledge  and  approbation  of 
his  Rev.  Colleagues,  was  chosen  President." 


SETTLEMENT    IN    NEW-YORK.  225 

The  assembly  then  appointed  a  committee,  con- 
sisting of  two  ministers  and  two  elders  of  the  Rev. 
Coetus — two  ministers  and  two  elders  of  the  Rev. 
Conferentie — and  two  ministers  and  two  elders 
from  the  neutral  churches  ofNew-York  and  Albany, 
to  prepare  a  formula  of  Union  ;  and  when  the  com- 
mittee met  to  attend  to  this  business,  the  Doctor 
disclosed  the  plan  *  which  had  been  digested  and 


*As  the  Doctor  himself  was,  without  doubt,  the  author  of  this 
plan,  or  of  the  greater  part  of  it,  and  as  its  adoption  had  an 
important  influence  over  the  state  of  the  Church — an  influence 
that  renders  that  adoption  one  of  the  most  memorable  and  propi- 
tious events  recorded  in  her  history — the  reader  will  probably  ho 
gratified  to  see  the  whole  of  it. 

Preliminaries. 
"Whereas,  certain  misconceptions  concerning  the  bond  ot 
union  between  the  Churches  in  this  country  and  those  in  Holland, 
have  been  the  unhappy  causes  of  the  past  troubles :  In  order, 
therefore,  to  prevent  these  in  future,  and  in  consequence  of  the 
advice  and  direction  of  the  reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  in 
their  last  letter  to  us,  we  unite  ourselves  in  one  body,  and  we 
agree  with  each  other  to  regulate  our  church  government,  and 
union  with  the  mother  Church  in  Holland,  in  the  following 
manner : — 

ARTICLE  I. 

Adherence  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Church, 
We  adhere,  in  all  things,  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Netherland 


226  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK. 

prepared  in  Holland,  and  which  his  brethren  there 
had  agreed  that  he  should  submit  to  the  Church  in 

Reformed  Church,  as  the  same  was  established  in  the  Church  or- 
ders of  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  in  the  years  1618  and  1619. 

ARTICLE  II. 

C'o7isistories. 
"The  Consistories  shall  always  be  appointed,  and  their  busi- 
ness conducted  agreeably  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Netherland 
Churches. 

ARTICLE  IIL 
Organization  of  the  superior  Church  Judicatories. 
"In  addition  to  the  above,  we  organize  or  establish,  according 
to  the  counsel  and  advice  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
approved  in  the  Synod  of  North  Holland,  such  ecclesiastical 
assemblies  as  are  consistent  with  the  government  and  constitu- 
tion of  the  Netherland  Church,  and  our  relation  to  the  same ; 
which  judicatories  shall  be  distinguished  by  such  names  as  shall 
hereafter  be  determined. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

JSumber  of  these  in  general. 
*■'  These  judicatories  shall  be  two  in  number,  which  we  provi- 
sionally call  the  particular  and  general  assembly,  till  their  names 
shall  be  more  particularly  agreed  upon. 

ARTICLE  V. 

JVlatters  to  be  discussed  in  the  Particular  Assemblies. 
"  In  the  particular  assemblies,  all  matters  regarding  the  inte- 
rests of  subordinate  congregations,  and  which  cannot  be  determi- 
ned by  the  Consistories,  shall,  in  the  first  instance,  be  regularly 


SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW- YORK.  '227 

this  country.  The  committee  examined  the  same 
with  great  care,  and  having  made  a  few  shght  addi- 

brought  forward,  and  acted  upon,  (pven  to  the  suspension  of  mi- 
nisters for  improper  conduct,)  before  they  can  be  brought  up  to  a 
higher  tribunal , 

ARTICLE  VI. 

J\/[embers  of  these  Assemblies. 
"  At  these  assemblies,  each  minister,  with  his  elder,  belonging 
to  the  same,  and  furnished  with  suitable  ecclesiastical  credentials^ 
shall  attend  at  the  appointed  time  and  place.  With  respect  to  ab^ 
sentees,  special  regulations  may  afterwards  be  made. 

ARTICLE  VIL 

JYumher  of  these  Assemblies. 
"  These  assemblies  shall  be  five  in  number.      This  numbet 
may,  nevertheless,  hereafter  be  increased  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  the  place  of  meeting  changed,  as  circumstances  shall 
require. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Tliree  in  the  Province  of  JVew-York,  andtwoiji  JVeW'Jersiy. 
"  Three  of  these  assemblies  shall  be  held  in  the  province  of 
New- York,  and  two  in  the  province  of  New- Jersey. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

One  in  the  city  of  Kexo-York. 
"  In  the  province  of  New- York,  one  shall  be  held  in  the  city 
of  New-York ;  to  which  shall  belong  all  the  Low  Dutch  Reform- 
ed Churches,  whatever  their  language  may  be,  on  Long  Island? 
in  the  city  and  county  of  New- York,  and  in  the  county  of  West 


i228  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW- YORK. 

tions  and  changes,  resolved  to  report  it  to  the  assem- 
bly.  The  assembly  approved  it  unanimously,  or  at 


Chester.    Whether  the  Churches  in  the  county  of  Richmond  shall 
belong  to  this  assembly,  is  not  yet  determined. 

ARTICLE  X. 

One  in  Kingston. 
"Another  shall  be  held  in  Kingston,  to  which  shall  belong  the 
Churches  of  Dutchess  and  Ulster  counties,  and  the  congregation 
of  the  Camp. 

ARTICLE  XL 

One  in  Albany. 
"  A  third  shall  be  held  alternately  in  Albany  and  Schenectady, 
to  which  shall  belong  the  Churches  in  the  counties  of  Albany, 
Glocester  and  Cumberland. 

ARTICLE  XIL 

One  in  Brunswick. 
"In  the  province  of  New-Jersey,  one  shall  be  held  at  New- 
Brunswick,  to  which  shall  belong  the  Churches  in  the  counties 
of  Richmond,  Monmouth,  Middlesex,  Somerset,  Hunterton  and 

Sussex. 

ARTICLE  XIIL 

One  in  Hackensack. 
"  The  other  shall  be  at  Hackensack,  to  which  shall  belong  those 
of  the  counties  of  Bergen,  Orange,  Essex  and  Morris. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

Time  oj  JVEeeting. 
"These  assemblies,  on  nceount  of  the  distance  of  the  respec- 


SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK.  229 

least,  without  a  dissentient  voice,  with  the  under- 
standing, that  before  it  should  be  finally  adopted  or 

tive  members  from  each  other,  shall  not  hold  more  than  one  ordi- 
nary meeting  in  each  year.  The  particular  time  of  meeting  is 
deferred  to  a  future  opportunity. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

Correspondents. 
"  When  these  particular  assemblies  shall  correspond  with  each 
other,  and  in  what  manner,  is  also  deferred. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

General  Assembly. 
"  In  addition  to  the  above,  a  General  Assembly  shall  be  held 
every  year,  composed  of  delegates  from  each  particular  as- 
sembly. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

Members  of  the  same. 
"  To  this  rev.  assembly,  shall  be  delegated  from  each  particu- 
lar assembly,  two  ministers,  each  with  an  elder,  furnished  with 
suitable  credentials. 

ARTICLE  XVm. 

Place  oj  Meeting. 
"  The  meetings  of  this  general  assembly  shall  be  held  alter- 
nately  at  New-York  and  Kmgston;   the  rev.   assembly  shall, 
nevertheless,  have  liberty  of  appomting  a  third  place  of  meeting 
in  the  province  of  New- Jersey. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

Time  of  Meeting 
"The  time  of  meeting  shall  be  considered  hereafter,  and  ap- 


430  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK. 

be  considered  as  having  the  binding  power  of  a 
solemn  compact,  it  should  be  referred  to  the  judg- 

pointed  in  the  most  suitable  season,  and  so  as  to  be  most  conve- 
nient for  the  particular  assemblies. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

Examination,  Preparation,  and  Peremption. 
"  For  this  General  Assembly,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Rev. 
Synod  of  North  Holland,  and  the  Rev  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
we  assume  the  long-wished-for  right  of  examining  candidates  for 
licensure  and  for  the  ministry ;  and  also  further  to  qualify  those 
who  are  lawfully  called,  as  the  same  is  practised  in  the  Nether- 
lands. A  list  of  all  those  who  have  been  examined  and  ordained, 
as  also  of  the  newly  settled  and  removed  ministers,  shall  be  kept 
in  our  yearly  acts,  and  sent  over  with  a  request  to  the  Rev.  Clas- 
sis of  Amsterdam,  that  they  may  be  carefully  inserted  in  the  regis- 
ter of  ministers,  and  numbered  by  them  among  the  North  Ame- 
rican preachers  in  both  provinces. 

ARTICLE  XXL 

JWatters  to  be  treated  oj  in  the  General  Assembly. 
"  All  Church  matters  which  cannot  be  determined  in  the  parti- 
cular assemblies  shall,  when  regularly  brought  up,  receive  their 
complete  and  final  decision  in  the  General  Assembly.      In  some 
particular  cases,  the  following  rules  shall  be  adopted : 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

Union  with  the  Church  of  Holland. 
"  To  preserve  in  the  best  possible  manner,  the  bond  of  union 
with  our  highly  esteemed  mother  Church,  (which  we  greatly  de- 
sire,) there  shall  first  be  sent  every  year  a  complete  copy  of  all 


SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW- YORK.  231 

ment  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  The  prime 
mover  in  the  whole  matter,  it  is  probable  in  the  first 

the  acts  of  our  general  assembly,  signed  by  the  PrcBses  and  Scriba, 
for  the  time  being,  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  duly  named 
by  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  for  that  purpose. 

ARTICLE  XXIII. 

Appeals  concerning  Doctrines. 
"  Secondly — Whenever  differences  may  arise  on  important 
doctrines  among  the  brethren, whether  nunisters  or  communicants, 
a  decision  on  which  might  be  matter  of  grievance  to  some,  the 
case  in  difference  shall  be  left  to  the  judgment  of  the  Rev.  Clas- 
sis, or  if  need  be,  to  the  Rev  Synod  of  North  Holland,  according 
to  whose  decision  the  general  assembly,  as  well  as  the  condemned 
party,  shall  conform  or  act. 

ARTICLE  XXIV. 

Depositions. 
"  In  case  a  minister,  on  account  of  doctrine  or  life,  shall  be 
deposed,  and  conceive  himself  aggrieved  by  such  deposition, 
he  shall  have  the  liberty  of  laying  his  case  before  the  Rev.  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  or  through  it  before  the  Rev.  Synod,  for  their 
judgment,  whether  he  may  be  called  again  or  not;  and  the  gene- 
ral assembly,  with  the  deposed  minister,  shall  be  bound  to  submit 
to  the  judgment  of  the  Rev.  Classis.  In  the  mean  time,  however, 
in  consequence  of  the  length  of  time  required  for  deciding  such 
an  unhoped-for  case,  the  congregation  of  the  deposed  minister,  if 
they  request  it,  shall  be  furnished  with  another  pastor. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 

Approbation  oj  Calls. 
"  It  is  agreed,  that  the  approbations  of  the  calls  of  candidate^ 


232  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK. 

instance,  suggested  the  propriety  of  such  a  refer-^ 
ence,  and  it  was  a  masterly  stroke  of  poUcy. — It 


on  their  exam,  peremp.  shall  be  given  by  the  general  assembly, 
but  that  of  ministers,  considering  the  wants  of  the  Church,  shall 
be  giren  by  the  particular  assembly  to  which  the  calling  congre- 
gation belongs. 

ARTICLE  XXVI. 

Visitation  of  the  Churches. 
"Concerning  the  visitation  of  Churches,  there  shall  be  pai- 
ticular  regulations  adopted  in  the  general  assembly  which  is  to  be 
organized. 

ARTICLE  XXYII. 

Extraordinary  JVIeetings. 
"  Extraordinary  meetings  of  the  general  and  particular  asseni- 
blies  may  be  held  for  the  examination  and  decision  of  matters, 
which,  for  urgent  reasons,  cannot  be  deferred  till  the  ordinary 
meeting.  These  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  last  Proeses  and 
Scriba  of  the  respective  assemblies. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

Projessorate. 
"Concerning  the  professorate,  we  will  act  according  to  the  ad- 
vice of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  viz.  we  will  provision- 
ally choose  one  or  two  professors  to  teach  didactic,  elenchtic,  exe- 
getic,  &c.  theology,  according  to  the  received  doctrines  of  our 
Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  ;  to  which  office  we,  according  to 
the  judgment  of  the  Classis,  will  choose,  on  favourable  terms, 
such  divines  from  the  JNetherlands  as  are  of  acknowledged  learn- 
Jng,  piety  and  orthodoxy,  and  immutably  attached  to  the  Neth- 


SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK^  233 

displayed  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  without  any 
of  his  noxious  quaUties. — While,  on  the  one  hand. 


erland  formulas  of  union,  said  Classis  having  promised  to  recom- 
mend suitable  characters. 

ARTICLE  XXIX. 

Further  regulations  respecting  the  Professorate. 
"  The  professor  or  professors  above-mentioned,  as  soon  as  the 
wished  for  reconciliation  in  this  country  is  obtained,  and  finally 
established,  shall  be  chosen  and  called,  on  a  sufficient  saiary, 
though  not  without  the  approbation  of  the  general  assembly,  with 
this  provision,  that  such  professor  or  professors  shall  not  stand  in 
any  connexion  with  English  academies,  but  shall  give  lectures  on 
theology,  in  their  own  dwellings,  to  such  students  only  who  can 
produce  testimony  that  they  have  studied  two  or  three  years  at  a 
college  or  academy,  under  approved  teachers,  and  improved  them- 
selves  in  preparatory  studies,  such  as  the  languages,  philosophy, 
&c.  Such  professor  or  professors  shall  also  preach  once  every 
month  or  fortnight,  in  Dutch  or  English,  as  well  to  assist  the  mi- 
nister of  the  place  where  he  or  they  reside,  as  to  afford  the  stu- 
dents a  good  model  of  preaching ;  in  consequence  of  which,  the 
reverend  professor  or  professors,  shall  be  subject  to  the  particular 
and  general  assemblies,  in  the  same  manner  as  is  already  speci 
fied  particularly  of  the  ministers. 

ARTICLE  XXX, 

Provisional  Exception. 

"  Nevertheless,  since  we,  according  to  the  condition  stipulated 

by  the  Classis,  can  cherish  no  hopes  of  reaping  the  fruits  of  the 

above-mentioned  professorate,  for  a  long  time  to  come,  we  are  of 

opinion,  as  there  are  now  a  number  of  students  with  one  of  othe? 

30 


234  SETTLEMENT   IN  NEW-YORK. 

the  Coetiis  brethren  were  gratified  with  the  recog- 
nition of  principles  for  which  they  had  long  conten- 

minister,  who  probably  will  in  a  short  time  be  fitted  for  the  exam, 
prepar.  that  these  students  ought,  in  consequence  of  the  great 
need  of  the  Churches,  to  be  provisionally  examined  at  the  next 
meeting  of  our  general  assembly. 

ARTICLE  XXXI. 

Schools  under  the  care  oj  the  Churches. 
"  Finally,  the  respective  congregations  shall  hereafter  make  it 
their  business  to  establish  public  or  private  schools,  in  which,  un- 
der the  direction  of  Consistories,  instructions  shall  be  given  as 
well  in  the  languages  as  in  the  fundamental  principles  or  doc- 
trines of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  as  the  same  are  taught  in 
our  Low  Dutch  Churches. 

GRIEVANCES. 

ARTICLE  L 

"  Concerning  those  congregations  who  have  two  Consistories 
and  two  ministers,  it  would  be  desirable  that  they  should  unite  in 
one  body ;  but  where  this  is  impracticable,  matters  shall  remain  in 
statu  quo,  till  means  and  opportunities  shall  be  found,  in  God's 
providence,  to  lead  to  this  union. 

ARTICLE  II. 

"  To  those  congregations  who  have  one  minister,  but  two  con- 
sistories, it  is  earnestly  recommended  that  they  unite  in  one  Con- 
sistory. The  reverend  brethren  shall  likewise  avail  themselves 
of  every  opportunity  which  offers,  by  brotherly  exhortation,  to 
effect  the  same ;  as  also,  for  those  congregations  which  are  situ- 
ated, as  stated  in  the  first  article,  whilst  we  cordially  supplicate 


SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YOKK.  335 

ded  ;  the  pride  of  the  Conferentie,  on  the  other,  was 
no  less  gratified  with  the  proposed  reference,  as  it 

the  God  of  peace  to  remove  all  remaining  grievances  from  suck 
congregations. 

ARTICLE  III. 

"  Since,  durins*  the  past  troubles,  some  persons  have  been 
ordained  for  the  holy  ministry,  whose  examination  and  ordination 
is  not  deemed  valid  by  some  of  the  brethren,  yet  for  peace  sake, 
rather  than  that  the  contemplated  union  should  not  be  accomplish- 
ed, these  brethren  agree,  that  every  one  whom  the  Rev.  Ccetus 
acknowledges  as  an  ordained  minister,  shall  be  considered  as 
such,  and  in  that  capacity  take  his  seat  in  our  assemblies,  not 
doubting  but  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  will  agree  with  us 
in  this  particular. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

"  Since  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  in  one  of  their  last 
letters,  express  themselves  favourably  of  the  Rev.  Hermanus 
Meyer,  from  which  it  plainly  appears  that  they  would  fondly  see 
a  re-union  between  him  and  his  congregation,  if  it  was  possible  : 
we  are  of  opini'tn,  that  in  case  that  reverend  brother  accedes  to 
the  aforesaid  articles  of  union,  and  subjects  himself  to  this  ar- 
rangement, such  subjection  is  a  sufficient  ground  to  give  him,  as 
our  esteemed  brother,  a  seat  and  voice  in  the  above-mentioned 
particular  and  general  assemblies,  whilst  the  reverend  assemblies, 
as  soon  as  they  are  organized  in  the  manner  specified,  with  the 
advice  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  will  offer  their  friendly  aid  for  adjust- 
ing the  differences  between  him  and  the  congregation  of  King- 
ston, in  case  the  wished  for  union  between  them  is  not  previously 
accomplished. 


2SQ  SETTLEMENT    IN  NEW-YORK. 

fully  accorded  with  the  principle  which  they  had 
maintained,  and  which  gave  to  the  Classis  a  para- 
mount and  decisive  authority  over  the  concerns  of 
the  American  Church. 


CONCLUDING  ARTICLES. 

ARTICLE  I, 

Exceptio7i. 
"  The  preceding  articles  shall  not  be  binding  in  cases  where 
they   are  hostile  to  any  privileges  granted  by  charter  to  any 
Church. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Binding  force  of  these  Articles. 
"  As  soon  as  these  articles  are  constitutionally  received  and 
approved  by  this  assembly,  each  member  shall  provisionally  give 
the  other  the  hand  of  brotherhood  or  fellowship,  in  hopes  that  the 
Rev.  Classis  and  our  respective  congregations  will  approve  and 
ratify  the  same,  but  they  shall  not  be  obligatory  before  such  ap- 
probation of  them  shall  be  given  by  our  respective  congregations 
and  the  Rev.  Classis. 

ARTICLE  IIL 

"  Since  the  Committee  have  the  satisfaction  to  be  unanimous 
in  their  opinion  on  these  articles,  subject  however,  to  superior 
judgment,  it  is  their  cordial  desire  and  prayer,  that  this  reverend 
assembly  may  adopt  the  same,  that  the  long-wished-for-union 
may,  if  possible,  be  effected  according  to  these  articles,  which 
smay  the  God  of  peace  and  love  grant  of  his  mercy. 

'-^  J^ew-York,  October  18tb,  1771. 

"  Signed  by  the  above-mentiontd  Committee.^' 


SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK.  237 

It  was  a  measure  admirably  adapted  to  the  pre- 
possessions of  both  parties,  and  could  hardly  fail  to 
render  each  pleased  with  itself  and  pleased  with 
the  other,  too ;  and,  that  such  was  the  result,  is  evi- 
dent from  the  concluding  article,  which  reads  thus — 
"  After  giving  each  other  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, the  committee,  as  also  the  Rev.  Consistory  of 
Ne\v-York,  were  openly  and  formally  thanked  for 
their  friendly  and  brotherly  services  ;  and,  after  fer- 
vent thanksgiving  to  God,  for  this  unexpected  bless- 
ing, accompanied  with  ardent  supplications  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  for  a  further  completion  of  this 
holy  union  work,  as  also  for  the  prosperity  and  well- 
being  of  the  Church,  they  parted  in  peace,  and  love, 
and  joy. 

(Signed)  "  John  H.  Livingston,  PrcBses, 
Isaac  Rysdyk,  Scriba, 
EiLARDus  Westerlo,  ScribaJ^ 

The  convention  having  proceeded  as  far  in  the 
business  as  was  then  deemed  advisable,  adjourned 
to  meet  again  the  next  October  ;  and,  in  the  mean- 
time, what  they  had  already  done  with  so  much 
harmony  and  good  feeling,  had  a  gradual  and  salu- 
tary operation  in  purging  out  the  old  leaven,  and 
diffusing  a  spirit  of  forbearance  and  love  through  the 
Church.     To  present  a  specimen  of  these  whole- 


338  SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK. 

some  effects,  a  part  of  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hardenbergh  to  Dr.  Livingston,  dated  Raritan, 
July  21,  1772,  must  be  given. — '*  I  have  the  satis- 
faction to  inform  you,  that  the  Monday  after  I  re- 
turned home,  my  Consistory  at  the  North  Branch, 
had  a  meeting  with  the  anti-consistory  in  that  con- 
gregation. We  found  them  extremely  friendly,  and 
well-disposed  for  peace.  In  less  than  an  half  hour, 
we  settled  all  our  disputes.  Our  Consistory  elect- 
ed two  from  among  their  party — one  for  an  Elder, 
and  another  for  a  Deacon,  with  which  they  seemed 
very  well  satisfied,  and  upon  that  dropt  their  Con- 
sistory, or  thus  united  the  two  into  one.  Here  I 
hope  have  ended,  in  less  than  half  an  hour,  tedious, 
perplexing,  and  pernicious  disputes,  which  have 
subsisted  in  these  congregations  for  above  fifteen 
years  past.  Blessed  be  God,  that  my  eyes  have 
beheld  the  healing  of  this  breach  in  our  Church, 
before  I  have  been  gathered  to  my  fathers." 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  Convention  assem- 
bled in  October,  177i,  and  the  letter  of  Classis, 
officially  certifying  that  the  plan  of  union  had  been 
approved  by  them,  was  laid  before  it.  Every 
member  then  subscribed  the  articles,  and  the  good 
work  was  thus  formally  and  solemnly  consum- 
mated. 


SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW-YORK.  239 

This  event  proved  a  most  auspicious  one  for  the 
Dutch  Church,  in  America,  and  the  distinguished 
agency  of  Dr.  Livingston  in  bringing  it  about, 
under  the  direction  and  blessing  of  heaven,  has 
encircled  his  name  with  perennial  glory.  As  the 
original  projector,  and  the  prayerful,  prudent,  and 
persevering  promoter  of  the  union,  he  will  be  in 
grateful  and  honourable  remembrance  while  the 
Church  exists.  There  were  others,  it  is  granted, 
who  zealously  co-operated  with  him  in  this  difficult 
and  weighty  matter,  as  Doctors  Laidlie,  Westerlo, 
and  Romeyn,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Hardenbergh, 
Light,  Ver  Breyck  and  Rysdyck  ;  and  the  judicious 
and  highl}^  useful  efforts  of  these  clerical  worthies 
to  restore  peace  must  not  be  forgotten  :  but  Dr. 
Livingston  is  pre-eminently  entitled  to  the  precious 
and  enduring  honour  of  having  been  the  Peace 
Maker.  The  station  to  which  he  was  elevated  in 
the  convention,  though  he  had  then  been  only  about 
a  year  in  the  ministry,  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  his 
brethren,  is  an  indisputable  evidence  of  the  opinion 
entertained  by  them  respecting  the  service  he  had 
rendered,  and  his  superior  right,  on  account  of  it, 
to  preside  over  theii'  deliberations. 

When  he  was  but  a  youth,  thinking  that  a  union 
might  be  effected,  spite  of  the  animosities  so  preva- 
lent at  the  time,  he  felt  a  strong  desire  to  do  something 


240  SETTLEMENT    IN   NEW- YORK. 

towards  its  accomplishment:  when  residing  in  a 
foreign  country,  he  laboured  with  zeal  to  promote 
the  great  object :  and  when  he  returned,  Uke  the 
dove  which  had  been  sent  forth  out  of  the  ark,  he 
came  back  with  an  olive  leaf  in  his  mouth,  and 
ceased  not  from  his  laudable  exertions,  until  he  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  his  brethren  dwelling  toge- 
ther in  unity.  And  it  ought  to  be  further  remarked, 
that  upon  his  pacific  plan,  as  a  foundation,  a  noble 
and  beautiful  superstructure  has  since  been  raised. 
Soon  after  its  adoption,  and  in  conformity  to  some  of 
its  provisions,  a  course  of  measures  was  commen- 
ced, as  the  sequel  will  show,  for  building  up  the 
Church,  which  has  at  length  been  crowned  with 
the  most  gratifying  success, — which  has  imparted 
to  her  a  form,  a  strength,  a  dignity,  pleasant  to  the 
eyes  of  all  who  take  an  interest  in  her  welfare  :  and 
let  not  this  labour  of  love,  so  estimable  in  itself 
considered,  and  connected  in  the  providence  of 
God,  with  such  eminent  benefits  to  the  Church,  be 
ever  under-rated. 

In  point  of  popularity  and  influence,  Dr.  Living- 
ston was  now,  probably,  second  to  no  minister  in  the 
Dutch  Church ;  and,  as  a  proof  of  the  respect  he 
had  excited,  it  may  be  proper  to  state,  that  at  a 
meeting  of  the  trustees  of  Queen's  College,  held 
in  the  spring  of  1772,  a  motion  was  made  to  elect 
Mm  President  of  that  Institution,  which  would  un- 


SETTLEMENT    IN    NEW-YORK.  241 

doubtedly  have  succeeded,  had  it  been  tried,  but  it 
was  judged  prudent  to  postpone  the  election,  until 
after  the  next  meeting  of  the  general  assembly.* 
Shortly  after,  he  received  the  following  polite  note 
from  President  Dagget,  of  Yale  College. 


"  Sir, 

As  I  am  informed  that  you  have  been  ho- 
noured with  a  Doctorate  in  Holland,  I  would  be  glad 
to  have  a  sight  of  your  diploma  (which  I  will  safely 
reconveytoyou,)  that  I  may  make  an  entry  of  it  on 
our  College  Records,  and  certify,  in  the  catalogue, 
the  university  by  which  it  was  given. 

"  I  do,  with  pleasure,  look  upon  our  College  ho- 
noured by  the  honours  deservedly  conferred  on  any 
who  owe  a  little  part  of  their  education  to  it." 

It  is  presumed  that  the  Doctor  yielded  to  the 
complimental  request. — And  another  circumstance 

*  Information  of  this  fact  was  communicated  to  him  in  a  letter 
from  the  Rev.  J.  Light,  of  New-Brunswick,  dated  in  May,  1772. 

This  gentleman,  it  appears  by  a  note  in  the  Christian's  Maga- 
zine, "  was  active  in  promoting  the  independence  of  the  Dutch 
Church  in  America.  He  published  several  very  respectable  pam- 
phlets on  the  subject,  which  were  answered  by  the  Rev,  Mr 
Ritzema,  of  New-York." 

31 


242  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK. 

occurred  about  this  time,  which  is  not  altogether 
unworthy  of  notice  He  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  the  Hospital  in  the  City  of  ^few 
York — a  small,  it  may  be  in  the  opinion  of  some, 
but  nevertheless,  a  pleasing  and  pretty  good  evi- 
dence of  the  regard  cherished  for  him  as  a  bene- 
volent and  excellent  man,  for  only  citizens  of  the 
highest  standing  in  the  community  for  moral  worth, 
it  is  beUeved,  have  ever  been  chosen  to  govern  that 
humane  and  useful  institution. 

The  Doctor  felt  too  much  the  power  of  religion 
upon  his  heart,  and  was  naturally  of  too  kind  a 
disposition,  not  to  take  a  deep  interest  in  associa- 
tions formed  for  charitable  purposes,  or  to  give  them 
that  assistance  and  support  which  duty  required ; 
but  it  was  in  the  Church,  and  in  that  section  of  it 
especially  in  which  his  lot  had  been  cast,  that  he 
found  his  appropriate  sphere  of  action.  Here  there 
was  a  great  deal  to  be  done  for  the  promotion  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  to  this  great  work 
he  unremittingly  and  zealously  devoted  himself  till 
the  close  of  life. 

To  strengthen  and  perpetuate  the  coalition 
which  he  had  been  the  honoured  instrument  of 
effecting,  and  to  raise  the  character  of  the  Church, 
the  project  was  conceived  of  procuring,  as  speedi- 


SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK.  2i^^ 

\y  as  possible,  the  appointment  and  settlement  in 
some  suitable  place,  of  a  Professor  of  Theology : 
and,  in  condescension  to  the  respective  predilec- 
tions of  the  brethren,  who  till  lately  had  been  long- 
arrayed  against  each  other,  it  was  proposed  to 
make  a  vigorous  effort  to  provide  the  funds  that 
would  be  needed  for  the  maintenance  of  a  theolo- 
gical professor  in  Queen's  College,  and  then  to 
send  to  Holland  for  a  professor. 

The  project  was  adopted,  and  moneys  were  col- 
lected for  this  end,  in  most  or  all  of  the  Churches 
that  had  acceded  to  the  union.  The  Convention 
of  Ministers  and  Elders,  which  met  at  Kingston  in 
October,  1773,  submitted  some  overtures  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  College,  and  sent  a  letter  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  upon  the  subject  of  the 
professorate.*  In  this  letter,  after  observing  that 
students  could  be  educated  at  New-Brunswick  with 
little  expense — that  there  were  Churches  in  the 

*The  Rev.  Dr  Dewitt,  in  his  sermon  upon  the  death  of  Dr.  L. 
referring  to  the  foundation  which  had  been  laid  by  the  Convention 
of  1771,  for  a  theolf»gical  professorship,  makes  the  following  just 
observation: — "  The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is  thus  entitled  to 
the  credit  of  having  first  contemplated  and  adopted  a  systetn  of 
theological  education  in  this  country,  which  has  received  the  ap- 
probation, and  been  followed  by  the  practice  of  almost  all  hev 
sister  churches. 


^44  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK. 

province  of  New-York  unwilling  to  make  any  con- 
tributions to  the  support  of  the  professorate — that 
£4,000  had  been  subscribed  for  it — that  a  majority 
of  its  friends  wished  to  have  it  connected  with 
Queen^s  College,  and  that  that  institution  was  pro- 
vided with  an  ample  charter;  they  request  that  the 
Classis  would  select  and  endeavour  to  obtain  for 
them,  a  person  well  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties 
of  a  professor  of  theology.  In  August,  1774,  the 
Trustees  of  the  College  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Convention,  in  which  they  gently  notice,  in  the  first 
place,  the  anxiety  of  this  body  to  have  the  funds 
raised  in  the  province  of  New- York  properly  se- 
cured, but  ascribing  it  to  "  a  commendable  fore- 
cast of  future  vicissitudes,"  declare  "  their  readi- 
ness to  enter  into  the  proposed  engagements." — 
They  then  add — "  As  the  College  funds,  amounting 
to  about  £4,000,  fall  far  short  of  what  is  necessary 
for  engaging  to  a  professor  from  Holland,  a  com- 
petent salary,  *  *  and  the  recommendation  of  such 
a  professor  is  daily  expected  from  thence  ;the  aug- 
menting of  said  funds  demands  our  immediate  and 
most  serious  attention,  in  order  to  enable  the 
trustees  to  make  out  a  call  for  the  person  recom- 
mended. And  as  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  that 
the  professor  of  divinity  is  the  more  immediate 
object  of  your  concern,  we  declare  it  as  our  opi- 
nion, that  whenever  the  Trustees  of  Queen's  Col- 


SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK.  245 

lege  shall  remember  the  chief  end  of  their  incorpo- 
ration, and  regard  the  increase  of  students  in  this 
seminary,  they  will  esteem  it  their  duty  and  privi- 
lege to  call  the  professor  of  divinity,  on  the  re- 
commendation of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
and  the  commmiication  thereof  to  your  reverend 
assembly  :  nor  will  they  have  any  objection  to  the 
making  him,  at  the  same  time,  President  of  the  Col- 
lege, provided  it  can  be  done  without  detriment  to 
the  collegiate  community  or  theological  faculty." 

The  Classis,  it  seems,  to  execute,  in  the  best 
manner  possible,  the  important  business  which  had 
been  confided  to  them,  had  determined  to  solicit 
advice  of  the  theological  faculty  of  Utrecht,  and 
not  being  able,  as  it  is  presumed,  conveniently  to 
obtain  the  desired  advice,  till  after  the  opening  of 
the  university  in  the  autumn  of  1774,  postponed,  of 
course,  their  answer  to  the  assembly. 

A  letter  from  them  was  received,  however,  in  or 
near  the  following  spring,  and  being  opened  by  a 
Committee  that  had  been  appointed  to  inspect  its 
contents  immediately  upon  its  arrival,  with  power 
to  call,  if  it  should  be  judged  expedient  to  do  so,  an 
extra  meeting  of  the  assembly, — it  was  found  that 
they  had  unanimously  recommended  the  election 
of  Doctor  Livingston  as  the  professor.  The  letter 
of  professor  Bonnet  was  enclosed  in  that  of  the 


^46  SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK. 

Classis,  and  both  extolled  him  as  a  person  well 
qualified  for  the  office,  and  to  be  preferred  to  any 
one  that  could  be  sent  from  Holland  ;  but  in  case 
he  should  decline  the  office,  the  assembly  was 
requested  to  state  particularly  the  salary  that  would 
be  attached  to  it,  in  order  that  the  Classis,  in  looking 
out  a  Holland  divine  to  fiU  it,  might  feel  themselves 
authorized  to  make  a  definite  offer  in  that  respect. 

The  Classical  letter  was  dated  Jan.  14,  1775  ; 
and  the  Committee  having  read  it,  pursuant  to  the 
power  vested  in  them,  issued  circular  letters,  calling 
the  assembly  to  meet  in  New- York  in  the  month  o^ 
May  of  the  same  year. — The  call  was  obeyed ;  but 
as  the  battle  which  constituted  the  first  scene  to  the 
great  drama  of  the  revolutionary  contest  had  been 
fought  only  a  few  days  before  at  Lexington,  Mass. , 
such  was  the  state  of  feeling  prevailing  in  conse- 
quence at  the  time,  that  the  members  hastily  termi- 
nated their  session,  after  recommending  the  obser- 
vance, throughout  all  their  Churches,  of  a  day  of 
fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer.  The  particulax" 
business  for  which  they  had  assembled,  was  neces- 
sarily deferred. 

Hostilities  with  Great  Britain  had  now  commen 
ced  in  earnest ;  and  it  being  supposed  that  the 
enemy  would  early  seek  the  occupation  of  New- 


SETTLEMENT  IN  NEW-YORK.  247 

York,  which  was  in  a  defenceless  situation,  many 
of  the  citizens  deemed  it  a  prudent  step  to  remove 
their  famihes  into  the  country,  and  accordingly  did 
remove  them  in  the  fall  of  1775 ;  but  a  much  greater 
number  left  the  city  in  the  spring  and  summer  of 
the  following  year. 

Philip  Livingston,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  patriot 
and  a  member  of  Congress,*  was  among  the  first  to 

*This  gentleman  was  the  fourth  son  of  Philip,  who  was  the 
eldest  son  of  Robert,  and  a  grandson  of  the  celebrated  John 
Livingston,  that  died  at  Rotterdam.  The  following  notice  of  him 
is  extracted  from  a  Biography  of  distinguished  persons  in 
America : — 

"  Philip  Livingston,  one  of  the  Signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  was  a  member  of  the  family  which  has  long  been 
distinguished  in  the  state  of  New- York,  and  was  born  at  Albany, 
January  15th,  1716.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1737. 
With  the  superior  advantages  of  an  excellent  education,  he  em- 
barked in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  was  soon  engaged  in  extensive 
operations  ;  and  his  inflexible  integrity^  and  enlarged  and  compre- 
hensive views,  laid  the  foundation,  and  erected  the  structure  of 
extraordinary  prosperity.  His  first  appearance  in  public  life  was 
in  September,  1754,  when  he  was  elected  an  alderman  of  the  city 
of  New-York.  From  this  period,  he  continued  to  fill  various  and 
important  trusts  under  the  Colonial  Government,  till  he  took  a 
decided  and  energetic  stand  against  the  usurpations  of  Great 
Britain. 


348  SETTLEMENT   IN   NEW-YORK. 

take  this  step,  and  in  tlie  month  of  Oct.  conveyed 
Ills  little  household  to  Kingston,  a  town  some  dis- 


"  Mr.  Livingston  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  first  Congress, 
which  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  5tb  of  September,  1774.  In 
this  assembly,  he  took  a  distinguished  part,  and  was  appointed 
on  the  Committee  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  people  of  Great 
Britain. 

"  He  was  re-elected  a  delegate  in  1775,  with  full  power  to 
concert  with  delegates  of  other  colonies,  upon  such  measures  as 
should  be  judged  most  effectual  for  the  preservation  and  re-esta- 
blishment of  American  rights  and  privileges. 

"  On  the  fourth  of  July,  1766,  he  affixed  his  signature  to  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

"  On  the  15th  July,  1766,  he  was  chosen  by  Congress  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Treasury,  and  on  the  29th  of  April  follow- 
ing, a  member  of  the  Marine  Committee ;  two  important  trusts, 
in  which  the  safety  and  well-being  of  America  were  essentially 
involved. 

"  On  the  13th  of  May,  1777,  the  State  Convention  re-elected 
him  to  Congress,  and  at  the  same  time  thanked  him  and  his  col- 
leagues for  their  long  and  faithful  services  rendered  to  the  colony 
and  state  of  New- York. 

"  Mr,  Livingston's  attendance  in  Congress  did  not,  however, 
preclude  his  employment  at  home,  in  affairs  of  importance.  He 
ser\'ed  in  every  capacity  in  which  he  could  be  useful  in  the  coun- 


SETTLEMENT    IN    JVliVV-YOKK.  ^49 

tance  up  the  Hudson,  in  the  county  of  Ulster. 
New-Fork. 

With  Sarah,  the  youngest  daughter  of  tliis 
gentleman,  Dr.  Livingston  had  previously  entered 
into  a  matrimonial  engagement;  and,  in  the  same 
month,  shortly  after  the  settlement  of  the  family  in 
its  new  place  of  abode,  they  were  united  in  the 
conjugal  state.  This  event  proved  to  the  Doctor 
one  of  the  happiest  in  his  Hfe.  Indeed,  he  could 
scarcely  have  formed,  in  all  respects,  a  more  felici- 
tous connexion,  for  she  was  a  lady  of  good  sense, 
of  a  mild  and  affectionate  disposition,  of  great  pru- 

cils  of  his  state.      He  assisted  in  framing  a  constitution  for  th^ 
state,  and,  on  its  adoption,  was  chosen  a  senator  uqder  it. 

"  In  October,  1777,  he  was  re-elected  to  Congress  under  the 
new  Constitution,  and  took  his  seat  in  Congress  in  May,  1778, 
one  of  the  most  critical  and  gloomy  periods  of  the  Revolution, 
and  incessantly  devoted  his  whole  faculties  to  the  salvation  of  his 
country.  He  expired  at  York,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  12th  of 
June,  1778. 

"  A  short  time  previous  to  his  demise,  he  sold  a  portion  of  his 
property  to  sustain  the  public  credit ;  and  though  he  sensibly  felt 
the  approach  of  death,  owing  to  the  nature  of  his  complaint,  he 
did  not  hesitate  to  relinquish  the  endearments  of  a  beloved  family, 
.ind  devote  the  last  remnant  of  his  illustrious  life  to  the  service  of 
his  country,  then  enveloped  in  the  tluckest  gloom  '' 


t^O  SEFILEMKNT.  IN    NEW-YORK 

dence,  of  sincere  and  ardent  piety  ;  and  he  thus 
became  allied  to  other  famiUes  among  the  most 
respectable  in  the  colony.* 

Dr.  Livingston  was  himself  a  sincere  and  deci- 
ded friend  to  the  American  cause. — It  was  the 
earnest  wish  of  his  heart  that  the  war  begun, 
might  result  in  the  estabhshment  of  his  country's 
independence,  and,  like  a  number  of  patriotic  and 
pious  mmisters  of  the  city,  offered  his  fervent 
prayers  to   God  for  its  ultimate   success  ;  f  but 

*The  eldest  daughter  of  Philip  married  the  late  Stephen  Van 
Renssalaer,  Esq.,  of  Albany,  and  was  the  mother  of  the  gentle- 
man now  living,  of  the  same  name  and  place,  whose  patriotic 
services,  amiable  deportment,  and  princely  liberality,  in  the  promo- 
tion of  science  and  religion,  are  well  known.  The  second  mar- 
ried Dr.  Thomas  Jones,  a  learned  and  respectable  physician  of 
New- York,  and  was  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Clinton,  the  widow  of 
ihe  late  much  lamented  Governor  of  the  state  of  New- York. 

■[•The  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  in  his  Memoirs  of  the  late  venerable  Dr. 
Rodgers,says — "For  a  considerable  time  before  this  crisis  arrived. 
Dr.  Rodgers  and  several  other  clergymen  of  the  city,  among"  whom 
Were  Dr.  Mason  and  Dr.  Laidlie,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  hold- 
ing weekly  meetings,  for  cultivating  friendship  with  each  other, 
and  for  mutual  instruction.  Toward  the  close  of  1775,  the  gen- 
tlemen concerned,  agreed  to  suspend  their  usual  exercises  at 
these  meetings,  and  to  employ  the  time,  when  they  came  together, 
in  special  prayer  for  a  blessing  upon  the  country,  in  the  struggle 
on  which  it  was  entering.    This  meeting,  thus  conducted,  was 


EXILE.  251 

neither  political  nor  religious  principle  made  it  hijs 
duty  to  remain  in  New- York,  when  that  would  be 
only  an  unnecessary  exposure  of  his  life,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  people  of  his  charge  had  fled 
into  different  parts  of  the  country,  to  places  of 
more  safety.  He,  therefore,  resided  in  the  excel- 
lent family  with  which  he  had  recently  become  con- 
nected, and  visited  the  city  for  the  performance  of 
ministerial  duty,  as  often  as  it  was  practicable,  and 
as  long  as  it  was  considered  proper  to  continue 
service  there.  Until,  in  fact,  the  British  forces  took 
possession  of  New- York,  in  Sep.  1776,  he  and  Dr. 
LaidUe,  who  had  also  removed  to  Red  Hook,  alter- 
nately came  down,  unless  providentially  prevented, 
and  preached  to  the  remnant  of  their  flock;  and  in  the 
month  of  June  preceding,  he  administered  the  Lord's 
Supper  in  the  Middle  Church,  which  ordinance  was 
not  dispensed  again  in  any  of  the  Dutch  Churche's 
in  the  city,  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 

kept  up,  until  the  ministers  composing  it,  and  the  great  mass  of 
the  people  under  their  pastoral  care  retired  from  the  city,  previous 
to  the  arrival  of  the  British  forces." 

Dr.  Livingston  was,  no  doubt,  one  of  this  clerical  association; 
and  it  is  probable,  that  as  often  as  he  was  in  the  city,  after  his 
marriage,  when  they  convened,  he  united  with  them  in  supplica- 
tions to  Heaven  for  a  happy  prosecution  and  termination  of  the 
conflict. 


252  EXILE. 

While  the  Doctor  was  staying  at  Kingston,  he 
preached  once  every  Sabbath,  if  in  the  place,  m 
the  Dutch  language  ;  but,  as  the  congregation 
there  was  furnished  with  a  pastor  (the  Rev.  Mr. 
Doll,)  when  he  found  that  he  would  be  probably 
for  some  time,  excluded  from  New- York,  he  be- 
came anxious  for  another  situation,  where  his  mi- 
nistrations might  be  more  needed,  or  would  promise 
more  usefulness  ;  and  about  the  time  that  his  inter- 
course with  the  city  ceased,  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  provide  him  just  such  an  one  as  he  had  desired. 

In  the  autumn  of  1776,  the  Consistory  of  the  Dutch 
Church  in  Albany,  invited  him  to  spend  the  period 
of  his  exile,  or  as  much  of  it  as  suited  his  conveni- 
ence, in  labours  among  them.  This  invitation  he 
promptly  accepted,  and  with  Mrs.  Livingston  and 
his  infant  son,*  went  there  in  the  month  of 
November. 

Whether  anterior  to  this  removal,  public  wor- 
ship in  that  Church  had  been  regularly,  or  at  all 
performed,  in  English,  is  not  known  ;  but  it  was 
understood  that  during  his  residence  in  the  place, 
he  would  be  expected  to  preach  in  this  language, 

*Col.  H.  A.  Livingston,  of  Poyghkeepsie,  the  only  child  of" 
Dr.  Livingston-. 


EXfLE.  ^3 

whilst  the  esteemed  pastor  would  take  the  Dutch 
service,  and  for  nearly  three  years  he  laboured 
zealously,  in  conjunction  with  the  pious  and  excel- 
lent Westerlo,  to  build  up  the  Church  in  faith  and 
godliness. 

After  he  had  been  here  about  a  year,  he  made  a 
visit  with  his  Uttle  family  to  his  father  at  Pough- 
keepsie,  which,  for  a  short  season,  was  attended 
with  imminent  danger,  and  led  to  the  loss  of  his 
journal,  containing  a  number  of  anecdotes,  and 
relating  his  religious  experience  from  the  day  of  his 
embarkation  for  Holland. 

It  was  in  the  month  of  October,  1777, when  Gen. 
Vaughan,  with  a  small  fleet,  sailed  up  the  Hudson, 
and  burnt  Kingston.  The  enemy,  as  they  passed 
the  residence  of  his  father,  which  stood  upon 
the  margin  of  the  river,  fired  into  it,  and  in  the 
perturbation  and  alarm  of  the  moment,  produced 
by  this  wanton  attack,  while  making  some  hasty 
preparations  to  leave  the  house,  he  burnt  that 
manuscript,  which  he  happened  to  have  with  him, 
under  the  apprehension  that,  if  it  were  not  destroy- 
ed, it  might  fall  into  improper  hands.  The  loss  was 
a  serious  one :  it  was  to  him  an  invaluable  trea- 
sure ;  and  had  it  been  preserved,  much  interesting 
and  important  matter  could,  no  doubt,  have  been 


"254  EXILE. 

derived  from  it  to  enrich  these  pages.  The  whole 
family,  upon  the  above  threatening  occurrence,  fled 
to  Sharon,  Conn,  and  remained  there  some  weeks. 

The  chmate  of  Albany,  in  winter,  proving  too 
severe  for  the  feeble  constitution  of  Mrs.  Livingston, 
he  removed  in  the  summer  of  1779  to  Livingston's 
Manor,  in  the  hope  that  this  change  of  situation 
would  be  beneficial  to  her  health. — How  far  his 
ministerial  labours  were  pleasing  and  useful 
to  the  people  of  Kingston  when  he  sojourned 
among  them,  the  writer  has  not  been  informed ; 
but  of  their  very  great  acceptance  in  Albany, — 
that  he  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  congregation 
in  that  city  for  his  superior  endowments,  as  an 
ambassador  of  the  Cross,  for  his  warm  and  elevated 
piety,  his  engaging  manners  and  holy  conversation, 
unquestionable  proof  can  be  given;  for  in  the  ensu- 
ing spring  he  received  a  call,  in  due  form,  to  return 
to  them.  This  call,  which  is  dated  the  4th  of  April, 
1780,  was  brought  down  and  presented  to  him  the 
next  day  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Westerlo,  and  Mr.  John 
Beekman.  who  had  been  charged  by  the  Consistory 
with  its  delivery.  He  took  it  into  serious  considera- 
tion, but  finally  declined  it,  and  continued  at  the 
Manor,  preaching  to  destitute  Churches  in  the 
vicinitv,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 


EXILE.  265 

The  Doctor,  it  is  evident  from  the  facts  ah-eady 
stated,  did  not  lead  a  life  of  inaction  or  indolence, 
while  compelled  to  intermit  the  exercise  of  his 
sacred  function  in  New- York ;  nor  did  he  rove 
about  as  a  pohtical  missionary,  consuming  his  time 
in  an  unprofitable  discussion  of  questions  relative  to 
the  public  affairs,  interesting  as  the  subject  then 
was  to  persons  of  every  description.  Though  a 
decided  Whig ;  though  he  rejoiced  at  every  occur- 
rence auspicious  to  the  cause  of  freedom,  and  both 
in  pubhc  and  in  private,  remembered  his  beloved 
country  at  the  Throne  of  Grace,  praying  that  the 
right  hand  and  arm  of  the  Almighty,  and  the  light 
of  his  countenance  would  save  her,  yet  he  loved 
the  cause  of  Christ  more  ;  and  he,  therefore,  assi- 
duously employed  himself  in  the  glorious  service  to 
which  he  had  been  called.  His  prudence,  his  just 
sense  of  the  dignity  of  his  office,  as  a  minister  of 
religion,  and  of  the  solemn  nature  of  the  duties 
appertaining  thereto,  were  such  as  could  hardly 
fail  to  preserve  him  from  any  unseemly  descension 
in  ordinary  discourse  upon  political  matters ;  but 
conversation  of  the  kind  was  not  sufficiently  suited 
to  his  taste,  to  put  him  in  much  danger  in  that  res- 
pect :  Redeeming  grace  was  habitually  the  theme 
of  his  meditations  ;  and  he  never  was  so  happy  as 
when  hearing  or  telHng  of  the  victorious  operations 
of  Him  whose  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,  and 


256  EXILE. 

commending  a  precious  salvation  to  all  around  him, 
as  well  in  the  social  circle  as  in  the  house  of  God, 

The  Church  in  which  the  Doctor  now  regularly 
preached,  was  in  the  village  of  Lithgow,  where  he 
lived,  and  near  the  Manor-house,  but  his  attentions 
were  not  confined  to  the  congregation  that  assem- 
bled in  that  place.  Other  congregations  within  a 
convenient  distance, — and  there  were  several,  com- 
posed chiefly  of  German  famihes,  in  want  of  the 
ministrations  of  the  Gospel, — enjoyed  a  portion  of 
his  labours  as  often  as  circumstances  would  permit. 
During  his  stay  with  this  people,  which  lasted  about 
eighteen  months,  he  preached  two  sermons  every 
Sabbath,  one  in  English  and  the  other  in  Dutch, 
— and  he  had  reason  to  hope  that  his  strength  had 
not  been  spent  for  nought. 

The  following  two  years  were  passed  at 
Poughkeepsie.  The  Church  in  this  town,  which 
now  was  without  a  settled  minister,  desired  his 
services ;  and  he  being  rather  inconveniently 
situated  in  some  respects,  at  the  Manor,  con- 
sented to  take  the  pastoral  oversight  of  it ; — 
and,  accordingly,  removed  for  the  purpose  in 
1781,  to  his  father's  mansion,  where  he  remained 
until  the  close  of  the  war. — Of  the  profitableness 
of  the  Doctor*s  ministry,   during  this  period,  no 


EXILE.  ^57 

materials  are  in  hand  to  authorize  a  representation: 
there  can  be  little  doubt,  however; — nay,  the  simple 
fact  that  some  solicitude  was  expressed  to  have  Ills 
labours,  warrants  the  assertion,  that  in  point  of  po- 
pularity, he  stood  high  with  the  people,  furnishing  a 
case — a  case,  indeed,  which  rarely  occurs  in  which 
the  proverb  was  not  verified  that,  a  prophet  is  not 
without  honour,  save  in  his  own  country  and  in  his 
own  house,  * 

The  present  cheering  prospects  of  America 
led  him  to  reflect  with  much  attention  upon  the 
changes  that  would  be  necessary  in  ecclesiastical 
policy,  under  a  new  form  of  political  government, 
to  place  the  Church  in  the  most  advantageous  cir- 
cumstances, or  to  give  the  denomination  that  relative 
standing  and  influence  among  other  denominations, 
to  which  it  was  the  ardent  wish  of  his  heart  it 
might  speedily  attain.  The  following  extract  of  a 
letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Westerlo,  dated  22d  Octobers 
1783,  will  show  the  interest  and  mature  delibera- 
tion with  w^hich  he  revolved  the  important  subject, 
and  also  the  origin  of  a  plan  which  was  ultimately 
adopted,  but  not  till  towards  the  close  of  his  Hfe. 

"  The  revolution  in  our  political  interests  has 


*Matt.  13.  57. 
3.S 


258  EXILE. 

made  a  change  in  the  general  face  of  our  American 
world,  and  as  it  has  removed  some  difficulties 
which  were  taken  into  consideration  in  our  former 
plan^  so  it  has  introduced  others  which  deserve  a 
very  weighty  and  impartial  discussion.  The  com- 
mon enemy  to  our  rehgious  liberties  is  now  re- 
moved ;  and  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  pride 
and  domination  of  the  Episcopal  Hierarchy." 

"A  sufficient  seminary  for  all  the  purposes  of  com- 
mon Uterature,  is  now  already  established  in  the  Jer- 
seys, and  will  probably  be  enlarged  into  an  Univeri 
sity,  and  be  most  favoured  by  the  legislature  in  that 
state.  The  erecting,  therefore,  a  College,  with  all 
the  appendages  necessary  to  justify  the  appellation, 
at  Brunswick,  appears  to  be  an  object  at  once  be- 
yond our  funds,  and  in  itself  unnecessary.  The 
question  will  then  recur,  what  must,  what  ought, 
what  can  we  do  ?  To  me,  there  appears  but  three 
possible  methods,  which,  if  not  free  from  difficul- 
ties, seem  to  be  upon  the  whole  at  least  practica- 
ble, and  in  some  measure  calculated  to  answer  the 
purposes  we  wish  to  obtain — either  to  wait  until  the 
government  of  this  state  shall  organize  the  College 
in  the  city  of  New- York,  and  then  appohit  a  pro- 
fessor for  our  Churches  in  that  College,  to  be  sup- 
ported by  the  funds  of  the  College  :  or,  to  request, 
f which,  if  done,  will  doubtless  be  obtained,)  a  local 


EXILE.  259 

union  with  Princeton,  where  a  professor  of  our  no- 
mination,  and  supported  by  us,  may  teach  in  their 
house,  and  the  students  have  the  privilege  of  their 
library  ; — or,  lastly,  that  our  Churches  support  their 
independence,  and  distinct  name  and  existence,  by 
erecting  at  Brunswick — not  a  College,  but  a  Divi- 
nity-Hall, for  the  sole  purpose  of  teachmg  Theology  .'■■ 

"  I  will  freely  communicate  to  you  my  sentiments 
upon  each  of  these,  not  only  because  you  have  a 
right,  as  a  friend,  to  know  my  opinion,  but  because 
I  wish  to  prompt  you  to  an  exphcit  declaration  of 
your  own  mind  upon  the  subject,  as  I  am  by  no 
means  fixed  in  my  views,  but  would  fain  gain  all 
the  advice  possible  in  a  matter  which  is  justly  con- 
sidered  by  all  as  important,  and  which  cannot  suc- 
ceed without  the  joint  concurrence  and  approbation 
of  the  whole." 

"With  respect,  then,  to  the  first  thing  proposed^ 
it  appears  to  me  the  following  difficulties  are  alto- 
gether insurmountable — 1.  The  time  may  prove 
too  long  for  the  wants  of  our  Church  before  the 
College  in  New- York  is  properly  organized.  2. 
The  old  Charter  of  that  College,  and  the  funds 
which  were  given  upon  express  condition  of  the 
operation  of  that  Charter,  will  create  some  difficul 
ties :  these  have  still  their  friends,   who  will  be 


^t»0  EXILE. 

ready  to  oppose,  if  not  openly,  at  least  by  their 
influence,  every  measure  which  seems  to  prefer 
any  persuasion  or  denomination  above  the  Episco- 
pal. 3.  The  government  of  this  state  ****will  proba- 
bly wish  to  give  no  countenance  at  all  to  any  deno- 
mination of  Christians,  lest  an  infringement  of  reli- 
gious liberty  should  be  made ;  and,  therefore,  if 
the  College  should  be  erected  into  an  University, 
it  is  my  opinion,  the  science  of  theology  will  be  en- 
tirely omitted.  For  us,  therefore,  to  be  waiting 
for  that  event,  will  be  loss  of  time,  engaging  in  the 
quarrels  of  an  old  standing  and  high  partyship,  or 
a  final  disappointment  at  last." 

"The  second  has  a  greater  prospect  of  successj 
and  for  some  time  has  been  uppermost  in  my  mind, 
in  consequence  of  a  train  of  happy  consequences, 
which  I  imagined  I  saw  connected  with  that  situa- 
tion ;  nor  was  the  assured  orthodoxy  of  all  the 
Presbyterian  Churches,  and  their  indissoluble 
union  in  doctrines  with  ours,  by  that  means,  the 
least  argument  to  persuade  me  into  a  coalition  with 
Princeton.  But,  upon  mature  thought,  it  is  evident 
to  me  that  tliis  measure  will  not  succeed.  For — 1. 
Our  professor,  when  placed  there,  must  be  eithei' 
under  the  control  of  the  Trusteeship  of  that  Col- 
lege, or,  (if  an  exemption  from  their  jurisdiction 
should  be  stipulated,)  it  is  impossible  but  he  will,  in 


ExiLt:.  i^61 

time,  be  under  the  influence  of  their  customs,  sen- 
timents, and  opinions,  as  he  must  be  one  among  the 
many  who  surround  him,  and  who,  all  being 
swayed  by  one  interest,  will  unavoidably  draw  him 
also  with  the  stream  ;  whereby  the  professor  of  the 
Dutch  Church  will  and  cannot  but  be  a  Presby- 
terian professor.  You  know  my  sentiments  in 
favour  of  the  Presbyterians  too  well  to  suppose  I 
mean  any  thing  in  this  the  least  derogatory  to  them, 
their  doctrines,  or  their  church  government.  I  es- 
teem them  highly,  and  wish  many  among  us  were 
not  possessed  with  such  groundless  prejudices 
against  them.  But  when  I  consider  our  Churches 
as  hitherto  preserving  a  distinct  denomination,  my 
first  observation  will  be  seen  to  have  great  weight, 
as  the  name  and  existence  of  the  Dutch  Churches 
by  such  an  union  would  soon  expire.  2.  The 
same  funds  must  be  raised  by  us  for  the  support  of 
this  professorate  at  Princeton,  as  if  it  was  placed  in 
any  other  situation,  while  the  prospect  of  its  answer- 
ing our  purpose  would  be  dubious,  and  our  profes- 
sor evidently  placed  farther  out  of  our  control,  in 
proportion  as  he  became  united  to  others.  3. 
Our  correspondence  with  our  mother  churches  in 
Holland,  and  the  possibility  of  being  increased  by 
emigrations  from  thence,  should  at  least  inchne  us 
to  remain  as  pure  and  unsuspected  of  any  mixture 
as  possible — unless  some  generous  and   proper 


262  EXILE. 

plan,  formed  by  a  genius  equal  to  the  task,  should 
be  drawn  for  uniting  all  the  Reformed  Churches  in 
Ainerica  into  one  national  Church — which,  notwith- 
standing the  seeming  difficidties  in  the  way,  I 
humbly  apprehend  will  be  practicable  and,  consis- 
tent with  the  outhnes  drawL  by  Professor  Witsius 
for  King  WiUiam  the  Third, I  yet  hope  to  see  accom- 
pUshed.  But  until  something  of  that  kind  is  pro- 
posed, what  has  been  mentioned  above  stands 
with  its  full  force." 

"The  last  of  the  three  proposed  plans,  remains  to 
be  considered.  At  first  blush,  it  is  evident  that  if 
it  can  be  put  in  practice,  it  will  distinguish  our 
Churches  as  singularly  concerned  for  maintaining 
the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  instead  of  absorbing 
them  into  other  denominations,  will  fix  their  charac- 
ter in  a  point  of  view,  which  will  hand  down  the 
efforts  of  the  present  generation  with  honour  to 
posterity.  While  others  have  laboured  with  suc- 
cess and  praise  for  the  cultivation  of  learning  in 
general,  it  seems  to  be  reserved  in  Providence,  as 
the  pecuHar  province  of  our  churches,  to  employ 
their  whole  influence  in  teaching  and  estabUshing 
the  Reformed  religion." 

"Before  I  mention  the  difficulties  which  have 
occurred  to  my  mind,  permit  me  to  premise  the 


arguments  in  its  favour.     1.  If  we  erect  a  respect- 
able professorate  and  Divinity-Hall  at  Brunswick, 
we  shall  have  our  institution  wholly  under  our  own 
control ;  every  difficulty  can  be  canvassed,  and  re- 
dress obtained  without  the  interposition  of  other 
denominations,  or  any  appeal  to  different  boards.  2. 
The  name  and  estimation  of  the  Dutch  Churches 
among  the  various  churches  in  America,  are  in  such 
repute  for  orthodoxy,  that  our  institution  will  bid 
fairer  to  be  universally  useful  when  we  stand  alone, 
than  any  union  with  any  that  can  be  named,  could 
possibly  promise.  3.  The  local  situation  of  Bruns- 
wick seems  to  be  a  proper  centre  for  the  States  of 
New-York,and  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,  in  the  last 
of  which  there  are  perhaps  as  many  congregations 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  as  in  both  the  former. 
4.  But  what  ought  to  be  a  principal  consideration  is, 
that  all  the  donations  and  assistance  we  are  to   ex- 
pect for  this  undertaking,  will  be  given  by  those 
who  belong  to  the  Dutch  Churches  (as  every  other 
denomination  has  plans  of  their  own,  which  call 
forth  their  whole  abiUties,)  and  it  is  evident  the 
benefactors  for  our  professorate  would  give  with 
greater  freedom,  and  feel  more  happy  in  promotmg 
a  work,  which  they  were  assiu^ed  would  remain 
mider  the  sole  inspection  of  the  Dutch  Churches, 
than  by  any  combination  of  ecclesiastic  interests 
with  Princeton,  or  political  with  New- York,  could 
possibly  be  effected." 


264  EXILE. 

"  These,  and  what  I  might  still  add,  if  these  were 
not  sufficient,  have  induced  me  to  prefer  the  last  to 
both  the  former  plans.  The  difficulties  which 
occur,  are,  indeed,  not  small ;  they  are  few  in  num- 
ber, but  of  great  weight. .  The  one  is,  it  will  un- 
avoidably take  up  some  time,  at  least  two  years, 
before  any  thing  of  importance  can  be  done  to- 
wards this  establishment.  The  other  is,  we  have 
not  funds  equal  to  the  task ;  and  we  shall  need  the 
advice  of  our  wisest  friends,  to  point  out  a  method 
for  obtaining  a  sum  sufficient  to  maintain  a  profes- 
sor in  theology,  and  in  the  oriental  languages." 

"I  have  already  said  that  I  was  not  fixed  in  my 
views  respecting  this  affair; — at  least,  not  so  fixed 
but  that  I  stand  open  for  conviction,  and  wish  to 
obtain  all  the  hght  which  can  be  thrown  upon  the 
object,  before  I  determine  in  what  manner  my 
vote  or  small  influence  shall  direct.  Upon  dis- 
coursing with  Mr.  Romeyn,  I  found  him  fully  con- 
vinced that  what  I  have  last  considered  was  the 
proper  line  of  conduct  for  us  ;  and  his  arguments 
have  not  a  little  conduced  to  establish  my  mind 
upon  this  plan.  It  is  the  interest  of  the  Redeem- 
er's cause  we  have  at  heart.  Our  hands  must  do 
what  we  are  called  to  with  all  our  might.  An 
effectual  and  peculiarly  exclusive  door  is  now 
opened  for  service.      The  enemy  of  all  religion  is 


£AIL£. 


!*5 


not  at  rest.  Our  united  eftbrts  and  blessings,  a}? 
answers  to  prayer  from  the  throne,  may  fix  an  esta- 
blishment that  shall  make  glad  the  city  of  our  God 
for  ages  yet  to  come." 

The  conjectures  he  formed,  as  to  the  arrange^- 
ments  that  would  be  made  in  behalf  of  the  hterary 
institutions  mentioned,  and  the  views  of  church 
pohcy  he  expressed  in  tliis  letter,  were  singularly 
judicious ;  and  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that  they 
prove  him  to  have  been  a  man  of  an  enlightened 
and  comprehensive  mind,  and,  however  devoted  to 
the  best  interests  of  his  own  Church,  of  a  catholic 
spirit. 

To  a  distressing  and  protracted  time  of  war  sue* 
ceeded  at  length,  in  the  good  providence  of  that 
God  who  ruleth  among  the  nations,  a  time  of  peace. 
By  His  blessing  upon  the  arms  of  America,  every 
mountain  became  a  plain  before  her  Zerubbabel, 
and  the  top  stone  of  her  hberties  was  brought  forth 
with  the  exultmg  shouts  of  thousands.  Verily 
there  is  no  king  saved  by  the  multitude  of  an  host :  a 
mighty  man  is  not  delivered  by  much  strength ;  * 
but  they  that  are  engaged  m  a  righteous  cause  and 
look  to  the  Lord  for  help,  through  him  shall  do  VU' 


*Ps.  xxxiii.  16. 
34 


266 


EXILE. 


Uantly;  for  He  it  is  that  shall  tread  down  their  ene- 
mies.* And  truly  it  may  be  said,  that  if  it  had  not 
been  the  Lord  who  was  on  our  side  when  men  rose 
up  against  tis,  then  they  had  sivallowed  us  up  quick, 
when  their  wrath  tvas  kindled  against  us.f 

The  long  and  arduous  conflict  between  Great  Bri- 
tain and  this  country,  was  brought  to  a  close  in  the 
year  1783. 

Provisional  articles  of  peace  had  been  signed  at 
Paris  in  the  latter  part  of  the  preceding  year,  and  as 
soon  as  intelligence  of  the  fact  reached  here,  all 
hostilities  ceased.  A  number  of  the  exiles  ventured 
forthwith  to  re-occupy  their  former  dwellings ;  but 
they  did  not  generally  return,  until  after  an  event, 
the  anniversary  of  which  has  been  celebrated  ever 
since — the  evacuation  of  the  city  by  the  British 
troops,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  November,  1783. 

About  this  time,  Doctor  Livingston  came  back 
to  resume  his  pastoral  charge,  and  commenced  a 
laborious  course  of  ministeral  duty. 

*  Vs.  Ix.,  12.  tPs.  cxxiv.  2.  3. 


CHAPTER.  VlL 


FROM  THE   RESUMPTION  OF  HIS  PASTORAL  CHARGE^ 

AT  THE    CLOSE  OF    THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR, 

TILL  THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE    CHURCH,    IN  1792= 

The  first  interview  between  Doctor  Livingston 
and  his  flock,  upon  their  return  to  New- York,  after 
so  long  a  separation,  must  have  been  attended  witli 
mingled  emotions  of  joy  and  sorrow. 

On  the  one  hand,  the  successful  termination  of 
the  war,  with  the  glorious  results  in  prospect — the 
re-possession  of  their  former  habitations, — a  sight 
again  of  those  venerable  temples  in  which  they  had 
so  often  raised  the  voice  of  supplication  and  praise, 
and  a  sight  of  each  other,  as  preserved  through  all 
the  vicissitudes  and  perils  of  seven  eventful  yearS;, 
were  circumstances  which  could  not  but  awaken  in 
every  breast  the  most  pleasurable  feeUngs.  But, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  many  sad  events  which  had 
taken  place  in  a  number  of  families,  and  some  of 
which,  perhaps,  had  not  been  extensively  known 
or  heard  of  before, — traces  of  the  outrages  com- 
mitted by  the  enemy,  visible  in  many  parts  of 


268 


AEW-YORK. 


the  city, — the  ruinous  state  of  several  places  ol 
worship,  which  had  been  most  wantonly  abused, 
and  among  which  were  the  Middle  and  North 
Churches — the  one  having  been  first  a  prison  and 
then  a  riding  school,  the  other  a  prison,  and  neither 
exhibiting  under  the  sacrilegious  treatment  it  had 
received,  much  of  the  appearance  of  a  house  of 
God,  as  the  interior  had  been  entirely  destroyed ; — 
these  circumstances,  together  with  that  of  the  loss 
BOTH  had  sustained  in  the  death  of  the  late  loved 
and  excellent  Laidlie,  and  were  now  forcibly  re- 
minded of,*  must  have  made  the  occasion  one,  not 
less  of  mutual  condolence  than  of  mutual  congra- 
tulation. 

The  old  Church  in  Garden-street,  being  found 
uninjured,  was,  in  the  month  of  November,  imme- 
diately after  the  Doctor's  return,  re-opened  for 


*  This  much  esteemed  and  devoted  servant  of  Christ,  died  at 
Red  Hook,  in  the  year  1780,  of  a  pulmonary  disease. 

The  two  Dutch  ministers,  though  still  living,  did  not  come 
back  to  the  city  to  reside.  Mr.  Ritzema,  remained  at  Kinder- 
hook,  and  Mr.  De  Ronde  settled  at  Schaticoke,  a  place  North- 
east of  Albany.  They  were  both  too  far  advanced  in  life  to  re- 
sume the  responsibilities  of  the  pastoral  connexion  in  such  a  city. 
and  the  Consistory  of  the  Church,  with  their  accustomed  liberality, 
granted  to  each  an  annuity  of  £200  during  life. 


NEW-YOEK.  269 

public  worship ;  and  the  people,  grateful  as  may  be 
supposed,  that  they  had  one  building  left  in  which 
they  could  assemble,  once  more  came  together, 
and  united  with  their  pastor  in  a  tribute  of  thanks- 
giving* to  the  Most  High,  for  his  innumerable 
mercies. 

The  congregation,  at  this  time,  or  rather  the  resi- 
due  of  it,  needed  extraordinary  attention ;  and  the 
labour  of  visiting,  catechising,  and  preaching,  and 

*  Thanksgiving  is  specified,  not  to  imply  that  the  day  of  their 
re-meeting  in  the  sanctuary  had  been  specially  set  apart  for  the 
performance  of  that  duty,  but  simply,  as  what,  under  the  circum- 
stances of  the  occasion,  it  was  very  natural  and  proper  it  should 
be,  a  prominent  part  of  their  service.  It  was  a  Lord's  day  upon 
which  the  Church  was  re-occupied  for  the  first  time.  The  11th 
of  the  following  month  was  observed,  by  the  recommendation  of 
Congress,  throughout  the  United  States,  as  a  day  of  Tlianka- 
giving :  and  here  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  remark,  that  our  fathers 
were  not  backward  to  recognize  the  hand  of  God,  in  the  dispen- 
sations of  his  providence,  and  to  go  up  to  his  courts  to  render 
the  homage  due  to  his  name.  They  did  not  grudge  to  lay  aside 
their  secular  employments  for  a  day,  and  spend  that  day  in  com- 
memorating, by  a  public  act  of  devotion,  his  great  goodness.  And 
it  is  to  be  feared,  that  the  perpetuity  of  our  invaluable  political 
and  religious  privileges,  is  much  endangered  by  the  gross  neglect, 
in  this  respect,  of  modern  times.  It  is  truly  alarming,  to  see  the 
manner  in  which,  of  late,  as  a  people,  we  acknowledge  the  mercies 
of  Heaven,  upon  days  recommended  by  our  civil  rulers  to  be 
religiously  kept. 


^70  KEW^YORK 

of  various  other  important  duties,  necessary  to  a 
proper  adjustment  of  its  concerns,  and  indispensa- 
ble to  its  future  welfare,  in  consequence  of  the  long 
suspension  of  pastoral  cares,  and  the  commence- 
ment of  a  new  form  of  political  government,  was 
more  than  usually  devolves  upon  the  minister  of  the 
Gospel;  more,  indeed,  than  asingle  one  in  suchasta- 
tion  could  well  perform,  without  incessant  assiduity. 
And  the  Doctor  stood  alone  as  the  pastor.  Of  the 
four  ministers  in  connexion  with  the  Church  when 
the  war  begun,  he  was  the  only  one  whom  Provi- 
dence permitted  to  take  the  oversight  of  it  when 
the  war  ceased :  but  he  nevertheless  cheerfully 
undertook  the  difficult  service  to  which  his  Master 
had  called  him,  and  that  service  he  discharged  with 
unwearied  diligence  and  zeal. 

While  he  was  thus  devoted  to  his  congregation, 
he  also  co-operated  with  the  friends  of  science  and 
religion,  to  forward  the  accomplishment  of  an 
object  which  was  then  in  contemplation — the  erec- 
tion of  a  State  U7iwersity, 

In  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn,  dated  March 
18,  1784,  there  is  the  following  paragraph : — "  That 
evening  when  I  parted  with  you,  the  Governors  of 
the  College  met,  and  a  bill  for  erecting  a  Universi- 
ty  in  the  state  of  New-York  was  read  to  us.  Many 


NEW- YORK,  271 

observations  upon  the  bill,  in  the  form  it  then  bore, 
were  made,  and  some  alterations  were  strongly 
urged.  The  alterations  insisted  upon  were  not 
essential,  with  respect  to  the  basis  of  the  Univer- 
sity, but  only  the  form  in  which  the  matter  was  ma- 
naged. There  is  no  opposition  from  any  quarter 
which  occasions  the  least  doubt  but  the  business 
will  be  conducted  with  that  spirit  of  Catholicism  and 
harmony,  which  will  ensure  a  literary  foundation  of 
importance  to  the  Church  and  State.  As  soon  as 
the  bill  has  obtained  its  proper  alterations,  and  gone 
through  its  different  stages,  I  will  endeavour  to 
obtain  a  copy  for  you,  and  send  it  over  to  you." 

He  felt,  too,  no  little  solicitude  for  the  general 
welfare  of  the  Church  to  which  he  belonged,  as 
is  apparent  from  another  part  of  the  same  letter. 
Having  mildly  animadverted  upon  the  strong  man- 
ner in  which  a  respected  clerical  brother  had  ex- 
pressed himself  in  favour  of  Queen's  College,  he 
adds — "  For  my  part,  I  wish  only  for  information, 
and  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  I  am  perfectly  impar- 
tial and  without  the  least  prejudice  in  favour  of  one 
place  or  seat  of  learning  above  another.  My  only 
inquiry  is,  which  place  can  be  rendered  most  secure 
for  maintaining  our  blessed  truths  unadulterated,and 
which — provided  there  are  several  methods  which 
in  that  respect  are   equally  secure — is  most  easy, 


^7S  NEW-YOBK. 

practicable,  and  advantageous  ?  I  am  too  much  a 
friend  to  the  College  at  Brunswick  to  take  up  any 
argument  against  it,  but  if  another  door  should 
be  opened,  which  will  answer  every  purpose  sooner 
and  better,  I  would  desire  to  be  such  a  friend  to 
truth  and  providence  as  not  to  rehise  an  accept- 
tance."* 

Further  on,  he  says,  '*  The  repeated  mention 
you  have  made  about  the  necessity  of  forming  a 
Classical  meeting  of  the  Southern  district,  notwith- 

— — -  •■     ■   ■  -■■-     ■■    '     ■         ■—     -■      ■  .     ■  ■MP'       ■   '       ■'■'-    ■   ■  ■      ■  ■  ■■  -    '■■'  ■      rrwrf 

*To  explain  this  extract,  it  may  be  proper  to  observe,  that  the 
hope  of  ever  seeing  Queen's  College  in  a  flourishing  state,  seems 
to  have  been  now  a  forlorn  one.  The  funds  of  the  institution  had 
become  much  reduced,  and  the  number  of  students  was  only  fif- 
teen. The  Trustees  had  shortly  before  given  a  call  to  the  presiden- 
cy, to  the  Rev.  Dr.  T.  Romeyn,  but  the  acceptance  of  it  was  very 
doubtful ;  and  under  these  discouraging  prospects  of  the  Seminary, 
the  expectation  appears  to  have  been  cherished,  that  King's,{now 
Columbia)  College,  in  the  city  of  JVew-York,  would  be  so  divest- 
ed of  its  Episcopal  character,  and  so  new  modelled,  as  to  afford 
speedily  all  the  advantages  desired  for  the  education  of  the  youth 
of  the  Dutch  Church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  one  of  tha  warmest  friends  of 
Queen's  College,  acknowledges  in  a  letter  written  about  this  time 
to  Dr.  L.,  that "  being  totally  unacquainted  with  the  intentions  of 
civil  government,  as  to  the  important  matters  of  education,"  he 
was  utterly  at  a  loss  what  to  say  upon  the  subject  of  educating 
youth  for  the  supply  of  the  Church. 


NEW-YORK. 


-2t3 


standing  the  smallness  of  the  body,  has  induced  me 
to  try  if  I  can  bring  such  a  measure  about.  I  have 
not  yet  seen  Mr.  Schoonmaker  of  Gravesend, 
and  whether  Father  Van  Sinderen  can  attend,  I  do 
not  know ;  but  I  shall  endeavour  to  form  the  poor 
suffering  congregations  again  into  a  body,  and  get  our 
ecclesiastical  judicatories  once  more  established." 

This  letter  shows  that,  in  the  midst  of  numerous 
and  weighty  parochial  duties,  he  was  employed 
about  matters  of  great  importance,  either  to  the 
community,  or  to  the  interests  of  the  Dutch  Church 
at  large. 

It  was  stated  in  the  last  chapter,  that  the  Conven- 
tion which  had  assembled  in  May,  1775,  to  act  upon 
the  letter  from  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  relative 
to  a  professor,  owing  to  the  alarm  then  prevalent, 
dissolved  itself  without  attending  to  the  business. 

In  October,  1784,  another  Convention  assem- 
bled, and  this  was  the  first,  it  is  believed,  that  met 
after  the  conclusion  of  peace.  This  body  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  the  election  of  a  Professor  of 
Theology,  and  unanimously  bestowed  the  lionour- 
able  office  upon  the  person,  whom  the  Theological 
Faculty  of  Utrecht  and  the  Classis  had  concurred 

in  recommending,  as  fully  qualified  to  perform  it 

35 


274  NEW-YORK 

with  honour  to  himself,   and  advantage    to    the 
Church. 

An  appointment  made  under  circumstances  so 
clearly  expressive  of  the  Divine  will  in  the  case, 
Doctor  Livingston  could  not  decUne  :  he  accord- 
ingly declared  his  acceptance  of  the  same,  and  a 
time  was  fixed  for  his  inauguration.* 

*To  show  the  progress  of  ecclesiastical  organization  in  the 
Dutch  Church,  it  ought  to  be  noticed  here,  that  this  Convention 
resolved  to  distinguish  their  several  assembUes  by  the  names  usu- 
ally given  to  such  judicatories.  For  particular  reasons,  at  the 
adoption  of  the  Articles  of  Union,  they  were  simply  denominated 
"  the  Particular  and  General  Assembly :"  henceforth,  every  Parti- 
cular Assembly  was  to  be  called  a  Classis,  and  the  General  Assem- 
bly, a  Particular  Synod.  There  were,  at  the  commencement  of 
the  war,  and  probably  also  at  its  close,  between  70  and  80  con- 
gregations in  the  state  of  New- York,  and  about  40  in  New- 
Jersey  :  of  the  former,  three  Classes  were  constituted ;  of  the 
latter,  two,  which  were  to  meet  ordinarily  twice  every  year.  The 
Particular  Synod  was  to  be  a  delegated  body,  consisting  of  two 
ministers,  and  two  elders,  from  each  Classis  ;  and  to  meet  once 
a  year :  and  it  would  seem  that  it  was  now  further  resolved  to  have 
a  third  judicatory,  composed  of  all  the  ministers  of  the  Church, 
with  each  an  elder,  and  one  elder  from  every  vacant  congrega- 
tion ;  which  should  be  called  the  General  Synod,  and  meet  once 
every  third  year.  The  statement  is  made  upon  the  authority  of  a 
paper  of  Dr.  li.'s,  which  has  been  referred  to  before,  containing 
a  (ew  detached  observations  relative  to  the  Dutch  Church.  The 
observations  appear  to  have  been  penned  about  the  year  1792. 


VEW'-YORK.  275 

On  the  19th  of  May,  1785,  in  compliance  with  the 
request  of  the  General  Synod,  the  name  which  the 
Convention  had  now  assumed,  he  delivered  his 
inaugural  oration  in  Latin,  before  them,  in  the  Old 
Dutch  Church  in  Garden  Street.  This  discourse, 
the  subject  of  which  was,  "  The  truth  of  the  Chris- 
tian  Religiofi^^^  was  afterwards  pubHshed.  Some 
apposite  remarks,  in  his  prologue,  upon  the  happy 
termination  of  the  revolutionary  contest,  and  the 
importance  of  religion  to  the  nation  being  made, 
he  passed  on  to  a  general  view  of  all  religion,  true 
and  false,  and  showed  the  foundation  of  that  which 
is  true.  He  treated  next  of  natural  and  revealed 
religion ;  and,  having  briefly  noticed  the  insuffi- 
ciency of  natural  religion  for  the  salvation  of  sin- 
ners, as  also  the  necessity  of  a  revelation,  he  exhi- 
bited a  few  of  the  principal  arguments  which  prove 
that  the  Books  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament 
contain  a  divine  revelation,  and  then  urged,  to  the 
close  of  the  discourse,  a  number  of  othfef  argu- 
ments to  confirm  his  proposition,  which  it  is  scarce, 
necessary  to  add,  he  satisfactorily  estabUshed, 

The  Doctor  had  a  good  talent  for  letter-writings 
and  his  extensive  acquaintance  with  ministers  and 
other  persons,  distinguished  for  learning  and  piety, 
both  at  home  and  abroad,  fiirn»shed  him  almost 
daily,  with  occasions  for  its    employment.      Hi?^ 


276  NEW-YORK. 

epistolary  correspondence  was,  at  no  time  subse- 
quently to  his  settlement  in  New-York,  a  small 
affair ;  but  now,  particularly,  he  had  many  Euro- 
pean friends,  with  whom,  in  this  way,  and  that,  as 
often,  perhaps,  as  an  opportunity  was  presented, 
he  reciprocated  affectionate  attentions.  The  chief 
of  these  friends  were  in  Holland,  of  course,  as  he 
had  himself  long  resided  in  that  country,  and  form- 
ed, while  there,  an  intimacy  with  several  eminent 
characters.  He  had,  however,  one  foreign  corres- 
pondent, in  another  part  of  Europe,  whose  name 
is  worthy  of  honourable  distinction  in  these  Me- 
moirs— the  celebrated  Dr.  John  Erskine,  of  Edin- 
burgh. This  gentleman,  in  two  instances  at  least, 
accompanied  his  letters  with  a  present  of  several 
valuable  books,  as  a  token  of  personal  esteem,  and 
of  pious  soHcitude  in  behalf  of  the  Dutch  Church.* 


*  The  letters  of  this  venerable  and  truly  excellent  divine,  to 
Dr.  L.  though  short,  evince  a  liberality  of  Christian  feeling,  and 
a  desire  to  promote  the  spread  and  preservation  of  the  truth  in 
the  Dutch  Church,  which  justly  entitle  them  to  a  particular  notice. 
They  were  written  at  an  advanced  age,  and,  seemmgly,  with  a 
(rembling  hand.  One,  dated  March  26th,  17b4,  commences 
thus: — 

"Dear  Sir, 
"  Permit  me  to  send  you,  as  a  mark  of  respect  for  yourself, 
and  the  worthy  family'from  which  you  are  descended,  and  of  my 
best  wishes  for  the  Belgic  Churches,  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic,  a 


NEW- YORK.  '277 

About  this  time,  the  North  Church  being  repair- 
ed, and  it  being  desirable  that  there  should  be 
regularly  full  service  in  both  Churches,  the  Consis- 
tory determined  to  give  the  Doctor  a  colleague,  as 
soon  as  they  could  obtain  a  minister  of  suitable 

few  Dutch  books."  Some  of  these  books,  the  Doctor  is  requested 
to  keep,  and  the  rest,  to  present  to  any  ministers  or  private  Chris- 
tians that  might  need  them. 

In  another,  dated  December,  14th,  1784,  he  says — "Regard 
to  one,  descended  from  Mr.  Livingston,  a  successful  and  emi- 
nent minister  in  Scotland ; — one,  too,  of  whom  I  had  so  pleasant 
accounts  from  my  dear  friend  Mr.  Rondal,  one  of  the  worthiest 
ministers  of  this  city,  disposed  me  to  send  you  *  *  *  * :  not 
so  much,  that  I  thought  they  could  be  of  great  use  to  yourself,  as 
probably  you  might  be  provided  with  the  best  of  them,  as  that  I 
supposed  there  might  be  Dutch  ministers  or  private  Christians,  in 
country  parishes,  not  so  well  provided  with  books,  to  whom  you 
could  present  them.  1  now  send  you  8  more  folios,  3  octavos,  and 
one  duodecimo,  with  the  same  view.*  *  *  Scriptural  criticism  is,  I 
am  afraid,  too  little  studied  in  the  American  states.  *  *  *  I  mean 
not,  by  this,  to  approve  the  method  in  Holland,  of  introducing  so 
much  criticism  into  sermons.  But,  surely,  it  argues  more  reve- 
rence for  Scripture,  than  transforming  sermons  into  philosophical 
essays,  or  eloquent  declamations,  no  way  connected  with  a  text. 
I  should  be  glad  to  learn  from  you,  the  state  of  religion  and  theo- 
logic  literature  in  the  middle  states,  especially  in  the  Dutch  and 
German  Churches.  I  am  much  concerned  for  the  storm  which 
seems  to  be  threatening  Holland. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  aflectionate  Brother  and  Servant, 

"JOHNERSKINE." 


278  NEW-YORK. 

gifts  and  popularity*  In  pursuance  of  this  deter- 
minatjon,  a  call  was  presented  in  July,  1785,  to  the 
Rev.  Simeon  Van  Aarsdaalen,  of  Reddingstown,in 
the  State  of  iSew- Jersey,  to  be  one  of  the  minis- 
ters of  the  Church. 

The  prefatory  part  of  this  instrument  is  some- 
what of  an  historical  nature,  and  expresses  officially, 
the  sentiments  then  entertamed  of  the  Doctor's 
ministrations.     It  is  in  these  words  : 

"  Since  it  hath  pleased  God  to  restore  his  disper- 
sed people  in  peace,  from  their  grievous  exile,  and 
establish  them  again  in  their  former  habitations,  the 
Minister,  Elders,  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church,  of  the  City  of  New- York, 
desire  with  thankful  hearts  to  acknowledge  his  un- 
merited goodness,  and  express  their  fervent  grati- 
tut!e,  by  their  zeal  in  promoting  his  worship,  and 
restoring  the  ordinances  of  his  house  to  their  former 
importance  and  usefulness." 

"  With  great  expense  and  labour,  one  of  the 
ruined  Churches  (commonly  called  the  North 
Church)  has  been  repaired,  and  the  public  service 
of  the  sanctuary  for  some  time  performed  alterna- 
tely in  the  North  and  in  the  Old  Church." 

'  The  death  of  the  celebrated  Doctor  Laidlie, 


JSEVV-YORK.  279 

whose  laboui's  were  eminently  blessed,  and  whose 
name  will  long  be  remembered  with  every  senti- 
ment of  veneration  and  esteem,  has  deprived  the 
Dutch  Churches  in  America  of  an  able  defender  of 
the  truth,  and  this  congregation  of  an  indefatigable 
and  exemplary  teacher.  By  his  death,  the  whole 
pastoral  care,  and  all  the  duties  of  the  ministry,  are 
devolved  upon  Doctor  Livingston,  who,  notwith- 
standing his  great  exertions  and  most  acceptable 
labours,  cannot  possibly  alone  supply  the  wants  of 
a  congregation,  whose  members  are  too  numerous 
to  convene  in  one  place  of  worship,  and  whose 
youth  require  catechetical  instruction,  beyond  the 
strength  and  attention  of  one  minister.  It  has, 
therefore,  been  the  fervent  wish  and  endeavour  of 
the  Consistory,  as  well  as  the  constant  request  of 
the  congregation,  since  their  return  to  this  City,  to 
find  a  capable  and  acceptable  teacher,  to  assist 
Doctor  Livingston  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and 
with  him  to  perform  divine  service  in  the  English 
language.  And  since  they  have  become  acquain- 
ted with  your  person  and  character,  your  talents 
and  ministerial  gifts,  their  choice  has  uniformly 
been  placed  upon  you.  Wherefore  the  Consistory, 
legally  assembled  in  their  consistorial  capacity,  up- 
on the  twenty -fourth  day  of  May  last,  and  assisted 
with  the  advice  of  the  former  Elders,  did  unani- 
mously resolve  to  call  you,  for  this  important  office. 


^8()  NEW-YOKK. 

And  as  the  preservation  and  prosperity  of  the 
Dutch  Church  of  the  City  of  New- York,  from  many 
considerations,  cannot  fail  of  being  an  object  of 
great  concern  to  all  who  wish  well  to  the  Dutch 
Reformed  interest  in  our  land,  so,  notwithstanding 
the  attachment  which  you,  with  every  faithful  mi- 
nister in  similar  connexions  may  feel  to  the  flock 
already  committed  to  your  charge,  yet  the  prospect 
of  more  extensive  usefulness,  will,  we  trust,  be  a 
sufficient  argument  to  incline  your  heart  to  accept 
of  our  invitation,  and  induce  you  to  consider  the 
unanimous  call  of  so  many  of  his  people,  as  an  in- 
dication of  the  will  of  the  Lord  respecting  your 
future  labours."  Then  follows  the  call  which,  it 
would  appear  from  the  fact  of  its  being  found  among 
the  Doctor's  papers,  was  declmed  and  returned. 

In  the  month  of  October  of  this  year,  the  first 
attempt  was  made  to  establish  a  correspondence 
between  the  Dutch  Reformed,  the  Presl>yterian, 
and  the  Associate  Reformed  Churches.  The  Synod 
of  the  Dutch  Church  had  the  honour  of  proposing 
the  matter,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  confer 
upon  it  with  the  committees  that  might  be  appoint- 
ed by  the  respective  judicatories  of  the  other 
Churches. — Doctor  Livingston  was  one  of  the 
Dutch  Committee,  and  read  at  the  conference^  when 
it  took  place,  a  written  declaration  of  his  own  and 
his  brethren's  views — or  rather,  of  the  instructions 


NEW-YORK J  wS) 

they  had  received  in  relation  to  the  important  busi- 
ness. This  declaration,  in  the  preparing  of  which 
he  had,  without  doubt,  the  most  influence,  though 
it  expressed  a  strong  and  inviolable  attachment  to 
his  own  Church,  bore  no  semblance  of  bigotry,  and 
breathed  throughout  a  spirit  of  Christian  love  and 
of  fervent  zeal  for  "  the  preservation  of  sound  doc- 
trine," the  "  promotion  of  piety,  and"  the  "prevention 
of  future  discord."  *     The  final  result  of  this  confer- 


*  The  object  of  the  conference  was  represented  to  be,  not  "  to 
effect  any  nominal  or  real  union  between  the  respective  Churches ;" 
but,  simply,  *'  to  open  a  correspondence  that  might  tend  to 
the  general  advantage  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  the  preservation 
of  sound  doctrine,  promotion  of  piety,  and  prevention  of  future 
discord." 

Having  observed  that  "  the  standards  of"  their  "  confession,  as 
well  as"  their  "  attachment  to  them,  must,  by"  them,  "  be  for- 
ever preserved  inviolate  and  unalterable,"  and  given  an  account  of 
the  Formularies,  to  which  every  candidate  must  subscribe  before 
he  can  be  admitted  as  a  minister  in  the  Church,  the  Committee, 
in  their  Declaration,  which  was  read  by  the  Doctor,  as  above  sta- 
ted, proposed  a  few  questions  to  the  other  Committees.  The  first 
related  to  tlieir  standards,  and  to  the  manner  in  which  they  bound 
themselves  to  abide  by  their  confessions,  so  as  "  to  exclude  all 
reservations  and  exceptions  whatever."  The  second  was  in  these 
words — "  Whether  the  corresponding  Synods  will,  in  order  to  lay 
the  foundation  of  a  full  and  unreserved  confidence  between  our 
respective  Churches,  give  some  solemn  and  authoritative  pledge 
o^r  promise,  the  one  to  the  other,  that  both,  for  the  present,  and  a? 

m 


^8^ 


NEW- YORK. 


ence  was  the  adoption,  by  the  aforenamed  judica- 
tories, of  a  plan  of  mutual  and  friendly  intercourse. 

A  plan  was  projected  the  ensuing  winter,  by 
some  friends  of  literature  in  the  Northern  part  of 
the  State,  for  founding  a  College  in  Schenectady, 
for  the  prosperity  of  which  the  Doctor  evinced  a 
benevolent  concern,  and  probably  made  some  exer- 
tions, at  the  meetings  of  the  regents  of  the  univer- 
sity, being  a  member  of  that  board. 

far  as  watchfulness,  care,  and  fidelity,  on  the  part  of  man  can  pre- 
vail, forever  hereafter,  a  firm,  explicit,  and  unconditional  attach- 
ment to  the  known  formula  of  our  respective  Churches,  respecting 
doctrine  and  worship,  shall  be  insisted  on,  and,  at  all  hazards, 
without  the  fear  of  man,  be  practised  in  each  and  every  one  of 
our  Churches."  The  third  and  fourth  respected  the  cognizance 
of  deviations  from  purity  of  doctrines,  and  the  maintenance  of 
discipline.  Two  articles  were  then  added,  in  reference  to  the 
accommodation  of  disputes,  and  the  mode  of  keeping  up  some 
visible  correspondence. 

The  writer  is  unable  to  say  what  were  the  answers  returned  to 
these  questions,  or  what,  precisely,  was  the  plan  of  correspond- 
ence, which  was  then  agreed  upon :  but  the  abstract  he  has  pre- 
sented of  the  Declaration  of  the  Dutch  Committee,  shows  how 
tenacious  our  fathers  were  of  the  genuine  doctrines  of  the  Gospel, 
and  how  anxiously  they  sought  to  bar  the  introduction  of  error 
into  the  Church ;  as  if  premonished  of  the  way  which  the  adver- 
sary would  use  at  a  future  time,  but  too  successfully,  to  dissemi- 
nate error. 


NEW- YORK.  283 

In  a  letter  to  his  worthy  friend  and  brother,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  T.  Romeyn,  Pastor  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  in  that  town — one,  it  isbeheved,  of  the 
original  framers  of  the  plan,  and  its  indefatigable 
patron — he  says,  "  If  I  can  be  serviceable  to  you 
in  any  thing  relating  thereto,  I  shall  be  glad  to  re- 
ceive your  directions  ;"  and,  in  another  dated  the 
25th  of  February,  "  I  shall  be  happy  to  hear  from 
you,  and  wish  to  know  what  prospects  remain  of 
our  sanguine  expectations  respecting  your  in- 
tended College.  I  have  understood  some  little 
misunderstanding  has  taken  place  in  consequence 
of  different  claims  to  the  same  lands,  which  were 
intended  to  be  appropriated  for  a  fund.  I  hope  it 
may  be  amicably  settled,  and  that  your  influence 
may  prevail  to  engage  both  sides  to  unite  in  the 
same  object.  It  would,  doubtless,  prove  a  great 
advantage  to  the  town  to  have  a  College  placed 
there,  and  its  importance  to  literature  and  religion, 
in  that  quarter  of  our  State,  need  not  to  be  men- 
tioned." * 

*  The  College  was  incorporated  in  1794,  by  the  name  of  Union 
College,  a  name  given  it  in  consequence  of  the  union  of  different 
denominations  of  Christians  in  its  establishment.  "  The  pros- 
perous state  of  an  Academy  there,"  said  the  Regents,  "  the  early 
and  repeated  application  of  a  number  of  citizens  for  the  erection 
of  a  College,  and  the  liberal  contributions  made  for  that  purpose, 
together  with  the  conveniency  to  the  Northern  and  Western  parts 


i^84  NEW-YORK. 

The  Legislature  of  the  State,  in  April,  1784, 
passed  an  Act,  entitled,  "  An  Act  to  enable  all  the 
religious  denominations  in  this  State  to  appoint 
Trustees,  who  shall  be  a  body  corporate,  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  care  of  the  temporalities  of  their 
respective  congregations,  and  for  other  purposes 
therein  mentioned."  As  this  Act  intei  fered  with 
the  established  practice  of  the  Dutch  Church,  and 
was,  in  a  manner,  an  unnecessary  interference,  that 
practice  being,  if  not  in  form,  yet,  virtually,  a  com- 
pliance with  the  Act,  the  Doctor  endeavoured,  with 
some  zeal,  to  procure  the  addition  of  a  clause  or 
another  Act,  suited  to  the  case ;  and,  in  this  business, 
it  must  be  confessed,  he  rendered  an  important 
service  to  the  Church, 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Consistory,  for  the  time 
being,  of  every  Church,  is  intrusted  with  the  care, 
not  only  of  the  spiritual  affairs  of  the  society,  but 
also  of  its  temporaUties :  and  it  is   equally  well 

of  the  state,  induced  the  Regents  to  incorporate  this  College ;  and 
they  believe  it  will  greatly  promote  the  diffusion  of  literature,  es- 
pecially as  it  will  accommodate  a  large  share  of  the  community, 
who  have  either  not  ability  to  bear  the  expense,  or  inclination  to 
send  their  children  to  a  populous  city." 

It  is  now  one  of  the  most  celebrated  and  flourishing  institutions 
of  the  kind  in  the  country. 


NEW-YORK.  285 

known,  that  the  members  of  a  Consistory  are  not 
viewed  as  placed  permanently  in  active  service — 
that,  every  year,  according  to  the  Constitution  of 
the  Church,*  one  half  of  the  number  serving  in  any 
congregation  must  retire  to  make  room  for  others, 
if  that  be  practicable,  or,  if  it  be  not,  must  be  then 
re-elected  ;  and  such  has  ever  been  the  practice  of 
the  Church:  but  the  act  referred  to,  directed  the 
appointment  of  Trustees,  in  every  congregation,  a 
third  part  of  the  number  to  be  chosen  annually,  to 
have  the  exclusive  superintendence  of  its  temporal 
concerns.  The  Doctor's  object  appears  to  have 
been  to  get  a  bill  passed,  that  would  make 
every  Consistory,  for  the  time  being,  a  legal  board 
of  Trustees ;  and,  if  frequency  of  change  in  the 
members  of  such  a  board  was  a  point  of  any  mo- 
ment, that  was  certainly  as  well  provided  for  in  the 
rules  and  practice  of  the  Church,  as  in  the  law  of 
the  Legislature. 

Under  date  of  March,  1786,  he  thus  writes  to 
Dr.  Romeyn,  upon  the  subject : — "  The  business 
of  our  incorporations,  I  found  was  not  properly 
understood  by  some,  and  very  warmly  opposed  by 
others.  The  ideas  adopted  by  the  authors  of  the 
incorporation  act,  were  to  keep  the  temporalities  of 

*  Articles  27th  and  28th  of  Explanatory  Articles. 


2SQ  NEW-YORK. 

all  Churches  perfectly  distinct  from  spirituals.  For 
this  reason,  without  adverting  to  the  customs  or 
discipline  of  any  religious  denomination,  the  body 
corporate  in  one  and  all  of  them  was  to  be  formed 
in  a  new  mode,  and  this  mode  be  adopted  by  every 
congregation.  In  this  plan,  there  are  many  of  our 
great  folks  so  established,  that  I  despaired  of  any 
opening  for  redress  in  our  case.  1  applied,  how- 
ever, constantly  to  some  leading  members  in  both 
houses,  and  at  last  obtained  their  consent  to  a  bill, 
which  I  now  enclose  to  Dr.  Westerlo,  who  is  re- 
quested to  send  it  forward  to  you.  But,  even  as 
to  this  bill,  it  is  suggested  to  me,  that  it  will  be  in- 
sisted upon,  and  probably  a  clause  for  that  purpose 
added  to  the  bill,  that  our  Elders  and  Deacons 
shall  be  chosen  at  large  by  the  people,  and  not  by 
the  Consistories,  as  at  present,  being,  as  they  say, 
more  republican.  Should  this  last  be  urged,  I 
would  rather  drop  the  whole  application,  as  that  re- 
medy would  be  worse  than  the  present  disease,  and 
would  infallibly  bring  confusion  into  our  Churches. 
The  truth  is,  I  do  not  feel  anxious  to  bring  the 
business  forward  this  session.  However,  I  have 
drawn  a  memorial,  and  sent  it  with  this  conveyance 
to  brother  Westerlo,  for  him  and  you  to  sign  ;  and 
if  you  both  judge  it  is  best  still  to  push  the  matter,  I 
will  do  as  you  shall  direct." 


NEW-YORK.  ^87 

These  efforts  of  the  Doctor  to  obtain  some  re- 
dress, proved  at  length  successful,  and  a  law  was 
passed,  enacting,  among  other  things,  "  that  the 
Minister  or  Ministers,  and  Elders  and  Deacons, 
and  if,  during  any  time,  there  be  no  Minister,  then 
the  Elders  and  Deacons,  during  such  time,  of  every 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  or  congrega- 
tion, now  or  hereafter  to  be  established  in  this 
State,  and  elected  according  to  the  rules  and  usages 
of  such  Churches  within  this  State,  shall  be  the 
Trustees  for  every  such  Church  or  congregation"  * 

In  consequence  of  unintermitted  attention  to  his 
various  and  arduous  duties,  the  health  of  the  Doc- 
tor, in  the  course  of  the  past  winter,  became  con- 
siderably impaired  ;  and,  hoping  that  he  might 
derive  benefit  from  a  change  of  air  and  more  exer- 
cise, he  removed,  the  present  spring  or  early  in  the 
next  summer,  to  the  pleasant  village  of  Flatbush,  on 
Long  Island. 

For  near  three  years,  he  had  now  been  sole  pas- 
tor of  a  large  and  respectable  congregation  which, 
before  the  war,  was  served  by  four  ministers  ;  and 

*  The  above  clause  of  the  law  is  extracted  from  the  2d  section, 
chapter  79th,  of  the  Revised  and  Session  Laws  of  the  State, 
published  in  1802.  2d  edition. 


288  NEW-YORK. 

during  the  greater  part  of  this  time,  or  ever  since 
his  appointment  as  professor,  he  had  lectured  five 
days  every  week  to  a  class  of  theological  students. 

Few  constitutions  are  so  robust,  that  they  would 
not  feel  the  effect  of  continued  and  faithful  employ- 
ment, for  such  a  space,  in  any  profession ;  and  the 
Doctor  would  probably  have  sooner  sought  this 
partial  and  temporary  retirement  from  his  charge 
to  recruit  his  strength,  had  he  not  viewed  it  as  his 
duty  to  spend  and  be  spent,  while  a  most  signal  bles- 
sing from  above  attended  his  labours.  In  the  lapse 
of  the  period  which  has  been  mentioned,  he  recei- 
ved, upon  a  confession  of  their  faith,  more  than  four 
hundred  persons  into  the  communion  of  the 
Church :  the  period  was,  in  fact,  one  joyful  revival 
season,  and  his  own  soul  participated  the  celestial 
influence  wliich  descended  so  copiously,  and  accom- 
panied his  ministrations.  The  large  accessions 
made  to  the  Church,  from  time  to  time,  comforted 
and  encouraged  him — and  his  work,  with  these 
convincing  tokens  of  the  presence  of  the  Divine 
Spirit  in  the  midst  of  the  people,  before  his  eyes,  if 
debiUtating  to  his  body,  was  nevertheless  a  delight- 
ful one.  There  are  some  yet  Jiving,  perhaps,  who 
then  belonged  to  the  congregation,  and  can  remem- 
ber the  precious  harvest,  and  with  what  cheerful- 
ness, assiduity,  and  zeal,  he  toiled  to  gather  it. 


NEW-YORK.  289 

But  a  little  relaxation  was  now  rendered  neces- 
sary ;  and  to  enjoy  it,  he  removed  a  short  distance 
out  of  the  city  :  assistance  also  was  indispensably 
requisite ;  and  this  the  Consistory  of  the  Church 
again  exerted  themselves  to  provide.  A  call  was 
sent  about  the  first  of  August  to  his  excellent  friend, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn,  of  Schenectady,  to  preach 
in  the  Dutch  language,  concerning  which  he  thus 
writes  to  that  gentleman : 

"  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother, 
"  It  is  with  very  great  pleasure,  and  not  with- 
out my  most  fervent  prayers  for  success,  that  I 
transmit  to  you  the  enclosed  call  from  our  Church 
at  New- York.  *  *  *  *  You  have  long  known 
the  high  esteem,  the  affection,  and  attachment  which 
our  congregation  has  borne  towards  you.  I  intima- 
ted this  frequently  to  you  in  our  confidential  con- 
versation, and  your  disinclination  to  live  in  the  city> 
and  refusals  to  lend  an  approving  ear  to  my  wishes, 
have  prevented  us  from  calling  you  before.  *  * 
We  conceived  your  principal  objection  was  to  per- 
forming service  in  two  languages.  The  Consistory, 
therefore,  have  called  you  only  to  preach  in  Dutch. 
Your  service  will,  therefore,  be  easy.  The  number 
of  Dutch  famihes  is  not  great ;  but,  lest  you  might 
fear  that  your  usefulness  should  thereby  be  hmited, 

the  whole  large  congregation  is  before  vou  for  pa- 

37 


290  NEW-YORK. 

rochial  duties  in  English ;  and  your  established  cha- 
racter, and  old  friendships,  open  a  door  for  extensive 
service  and  usefulness  among  us,  above  any  other 
whatever,  *  *  *  *  y^^  know  the  unfeigned 
affection  I  have  long  had  for  you,  and,  therefore,  you 
may  with  propriety  consider  me  as  an  interested 
advocate  in  the  present  business  :  and,  indeed,  I 
acknowledge  it  :  I  feel  myself  greatly  interested. 
I  have  long  desired  to  have  you  for  a  colleague ; 
and,  notwithstanding  the  discouragements  you  have 
given  me,  I  now  have  hope  that  the  time  is  come 
when  I  shall  call  you  by  that  confidential  name.  I 
wish  to  have  you  for  many  reasons — but  I  cheer- 
fidly  leave  you  with  the  Lord.  Bring  the  matter 
to  him  and,  after  weighing  the  whole,  I  hope  you 
will  see  it  to  be  your  duty  to  give  us  a  favourable 
answer." — In  a  postscript  to  the  affectionate  letter 
from  which  these  extracts  are  made,  he  says — 
"  My  health,  as  I  wrote  you  some  time  since,  has 
been  much  on  the  decline.  I  found  it  necessary  to 
move  out  of  the  city,  and  have  come  over  to  Long 
Island,  at  Flatbush.  This  change  of  air,  and  neces- 
sary exercise,  have  been  much  blessed  to  me.  I 
am  better  than  1  was ;  but  am  still  distressed  with 
pains  in  my  breast.  I  cannot  preach  so  often  as  I 
have  hitherto  done  in  the  large  churches  in  the  city. 
The  gentlemen  who  study  theology  have  followed 
me  to  Flatbush.     It  is  here  cheaper  for  them  than 


IVEW-YORK.  291 

in  the  city  ;  they  have  more  leisure,  and  better 
opportunities  for  study,  and  I  have  more  time  also 
to  instruct  them  *  *.  I  feel  bound,  in  conscience,  to 
attend  to  the  duties  of  the  professorate,  especially 
when  I  see  my  health  also  requires  it  *  *.  I  wish  to 
see  you,  and  converse  with  you.  I  shall  be  happy, 
very  happy  to  have  you  near  me  as  a  colleague 
given  of  the  Lord.  If  your  mind  is  clear  upon  the 
subject  of  our  call,  I  think  you  need  not  postpone 
the  acceptance  :  the  sooner  you  come,  the  greater 
will  be  the  proof  of  your  affection," 

In  another,  dated  Flatbush,  29th  of  August,  1786, 
he  observes — "  The  answer  you  sent  to  the  Con- 
sistory, after  receiving  the  call,  was  yesterday  read 
in  full  Consistory.  It  gave  us  great  satisfaction  to 
find  that  you  referred  the  whole  business  to  the 
sovereign  will  of  God,  and  with  a  determination  to 
seek  counsel  at  the  Throne  of  Grace,  had  resolved 
to  follow  what  appeared  to  be  duty.  We  cheerfully 
join  with  you  in  our  prayers,  and,  as  it  is  his  glory 
and  the  prosperity  of  his  Church,  which  is  our  great 
object,  we  desire  to  look  up  to  him  alone,  and  trust 
he  will,  incUne  your  heart,  with  full  conviction  of 
his  will,  to  accept  of  our  call.  It  is  a  great  grief  to 
us,  that  our  wants  should  interfere  with  others,  and 
our  gain  involve  the  loss  of  others ;  but  we  are 
confident  that,  notwithstanding  the  strong  ties  Rn<] 


2i92 


NEW-YORK. 


fervent  entreaties  of  those  with  whom  you  now  are, 
yet  if  you  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  our  situ- 
ation, and  saw  the  happy  train  of  consequences, 
which  are  connected  with  your  becoming  our  minis- 
ter, and  which  have  respect  to  the  well-being  of 
our  Churches  at  large,  you  would  not  hesitate  one 
moment  to  consider  our  invitation  as  the  call  of 
God." 

"  It  is  not  only  the  prosperity  of  our  large  congre- 
gation, that  depends  greatly  upon  your  becoming 
our  minister,  but  even  the  more  extensive  views  of 
supplying  the  many  vacancies  in  our  Churches.  I 
cannot  do  justice  to  the  expectation  and  wants  of 
the  Churches,  unless  I  can  be  supported  and  suc- 
ceeded by  one,  to  whom  the  burthen  of  ecclesiasti- 
cal and  parochial  cares  can  be  transferred.  In  you 
I  place,  as  you  know,  the  fullest  confidence,  and 
with  me,  the  whole  congregation." 

"  To  the  Lord,  my  waiting  eyes  are  raised,  and 
I  trust  he  will,  at  length,  grant  what  has  long  been 
the  desire  of  my  heart." 

About  the  same  time,  the  Consistory  called  also 
the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Linn,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  preach  in  the  English  language,  who 
accepted  their  call,   and  was  soon  after  installed 


NEW-YORK.  20S 

collegiate  pastor,  with  Doctor  Livingston,  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  New- York. 

His  sentiments  respecting  this  eloquent  and  ac» 
compUshed  divine,  he  very  frankly  expressed  to  his 
friend  Dr.  R.  "  We  yesterday,"  he  informs  him  in 
one  letter,  "sent  a  call  to  Mr.  Linn.  Whether 
we  shall  succeed  is  uncertain.  He  is  an  excellent 
preacher — appears  to  be  a  good  and  great  man." 
In  another,  dated  January  29,  1787,  after  urging 
still  further  the  acceptance  of  the  call,  he  says — 
"  Rest  assured,  my  brother,  of  my  fullest  confi- 
dence, and  sincerest  love  and  friendship ;  and  I  am 
peculiarly  happy  to  add,  that  you  will  find  in  our 
new  colleague,  Mr.  Linn,  that  rectitude  and  ap- 
proved abilities,  mixed  with  the  most  affectionate 
inclination  to  make  all  who  are  connected  with  him 
happy,  which  cannot  fail  of  rendering  him  an  ac_ 
quisition  in  general,  and  peculiarly  acceptable  tons." 

The  writer  has  been  induced  to  present  so  much 
of  the  correspondence  in  reference  to  these  calls, 
by  a  desire  to  remove  a  suspicion  which  he  is  aware 
has  been  and  still  is  harboured,  though  perhaps  to 
no  very  great  extent — that  the  Doctor  was  envious 
of  the  popularity  of  his  new  colleague,  and  un- 
friendly to  the  coming  of  Dr.  R.  More  could  not 
have  been  said,  in  a  few  words,   in  favour  of  the 


294  i\EW-YORK 

first  gentleman,  and  it  certainly  appears  to  have 
been  said  with  great  cordiality:  with  respect  to 
the  second,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  stronger 
language  than  that  employed,  as  expressive  of  not 
simply  a  wishf  but  an  earnest  desire  that  the  call 
might  be  accepted.  The  call  was  declined :  and 
in  a  letter  dated  August  29,  1787,  he  wrote  again 
upon  the  subject  as  follows:  *'I  believe  I  have 
omitted  to  do  what  I  am  sure  it  was  my  inclination 
and  intention  to  have  done,  that  is,  to  have  wrote 
you  a  letter  in  answer  to  your  last,  which  conveyed 
your  final  resolution  respecting  the  overtures  made 
to  you  by  our  congregation.  Acquiescence  in  the 
will  of  Heaven  made  it  my  duty  to  be  fully  resigned 
in  the  dispensation  of  Providence ;  but  I  found 
myself  greatly  disappointed,  as  it  has  been  for  a 
long  while  my  fixed  wish  and  desire  to  have  you 
with  me  as  a  fellow-labourer.  I  trust  the  Lord  has 
over-ruled,  and  will  accept  of  our  sincere  endea- 
vours, according  to  the  measure  of  our  present 
light,  to  promote  the  interests  of  Zion."* 

*  The  Consistory  soon  after  called  the  Rev.  (now  Dr.)  Gerar- 
dus,  A.  Kuypers,  to  preach  in  the  Dutch  language.  The  call  was 
returned.  Another  call,  however,  was  made  upon  the  same  gen- 
tleman, early  in  the  year  1789,  which  was  accepted. 

This  estimable  and  venerable  servant  of  Christ,  has  been  now 
more  than  forty  years  a  pastor  of  the  Church  of  New-York-^a 


NEW-YORK.  295 

Between  the  Doctor  and  these  two  distinguished 
divines,  a  warm  friendship,  as  will  be  seen  in  the 
progress  of  the  narrative,  subsisted  for  many  years. 

The  Doctor's  residence  on  Long-Island  appears 
to  have  been  only  during  the  summer  months :  in 
winter  he  occupied  his  house  in  the  city,  and  per- 
formed his  full  share  of  pastoral  duty.  The  leisure 
gained  in  consequence  of  the  settlement  and  assist- 
ance of  Dr.  Linn,  was  devoted  to  the  young  men 
under  his  care,  preparing  for  the  ministry  : — For 
these,  the  necessities  of  the  Church  being  so  very 
pressing,  he  was  desirous  to  advance  in  their  stu- 
dies, that  they  might  be  examined  for  licensure  at 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Synod,*  which  was  shortly 
to  take  place. 

period  of  service  already  exceeding  that  of  any  of  his  predeces- 
sors. For  about  twenty  years,  he  has  been  the  prudent,  respected, 
and  useful  senior  pastor ; — may  he  long  be  spared  as  a  blessing  to 
the  Church !  Since  1808,  he  has  officiated,  it  is  believed,  alto- 
gether in  the  English  language. 

*  The  examination  of  candidates  for  licensure  or  ordination, 
belonged,  according  to  the  articles  of  union,  to  the  General  Assem- 
blies, or  to  what  were  now  called,  Particular  Synods.  As  the 
Doctor,  however,  in  one  of  his  letters,  after  speaking  of  business 
that  could  come  with  propriety  only  before  the  Convention  or  the 
General  Synod,  at  their  triennial  meeting,  which  was  to  be  held 
the  following  October,  remarks — "  There  are  several  young  gen- 


296  '      NEW-YORK. 

The  Church  had  now  assumed  a  form,  and  pos- 
sessed that  magnitude  and  character  which  in  his 
estimation  entitled  her  to  receive  all  due  respect,  as 
a  body  fully  capable  of  self-government,  and  no 
longer  subject  to  a  foreign  jurisdiction;  but  the 
Church  in  Holland,  although  it  had  advised  and 
approved  of  the  erection  of  independent  judicato- 
ries here,  did  not  readily  recognise,  it  seems,  the 
present  system  of  organization,  or  exhibited  some 
little  unwillingness  to  yield  altogether  the  right  of 
dictation  and  control ;  at  least,  it  was  suspected 
that  such  a  feeling  existed,  and  he  thus  expresses 
himself  in  the  letter,  just  referred  to,  upon  the  cir- 
cumstance that  led  to  the  surmise.  "  The  letter 
accompanying  the  acts  of  Synod,  I  have  not  open- 
ed, but  have  only  taken  notice  of  the  address,  in 
which  I  find  they  implicitly  deny  our  being  a  Sy- 
nod, by  giving  us  the  same  title  we  had  before  our 
present  organization ;  and  this  is  one  thing  I  wish 
to  know  your  sentiments  upon  ;  whether  it  would 


tlemen  who  will  appear  before  the  Synod  to  be  examined" — it  is 
supposed  that  this  first  class  was  examined  by  that  body,  probably 
with  a  view,  in  part,  that  the  Church  at  large,  thus  assembled, 
might  see  what  proficiency  they  had  made,  under  the  professor's 
instruction. 

For  a  long  time,  such  examinations  have  been  conducted  by  the 
several  classes  in  the  presence  of  Deputati  Synodi. 


NEW-YORK. 


B9: 


not  be  proper  for  us  by  some  article  in  our  minutes^ 
or  by  some  clause  in  our  letter,  to  express  our  sen- 
sibility upon  their  silence  respecting  our  present 
judicatories ;  for,  if  we  correspond,  it  ought  to  be 
continued  upon  the  footing  of  mutual  respect,  or  it 
may,  in  its  consequences,  soon  be  productive  of 
some  disagreeable  events.  Perhaps  we  have  been 
too  remiss  in  not  taking  notice  of  this  before,  or  it 
is  possible  that  silence  may  be  the  most  prudent 
and  eligible.  I  have  not  yet  made  up  my  own 
mind  upon  the  subject,  but  will  cheerfully  refer 
myself  to  your  judgment :  I  wish  you  would  think 
upon  it." — There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Synod 
took  a  proper  notice  of  this  apparently  designed 
and  reprehensible  slight,  as  the  future  correspond- 
ence of  the  mother  Church  was,  to  the  best  of  the 
writer's  knowledge,  perfectly  respectful ;  but  whe- 
ther they  did,  or  did  not,  it  is  plain  that  the  Doctor 
himself  was  scrupulously  jealous  of  the  independ- 
ence and  dignity  of  the  Church  in  the  matter ;  and 
as  in  this,  so  in  every  other  which  tended  in  the 
smallest  degree  to  the  injury  of  either,  directly  or 
indirectly,  he  evinced  through  life,  a  like  sensi- 
bility. 

When  the  Synod  met,  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed, of  which  it  would  appear  he  was  chairman,  to 

make  and  publish  a  selection  of  Psalms,  for  the  use 

38 


398  NPW-YOBK, 

©f  the  Church  in  its  public  worship ;  and  in  a  letter 
to  the  same  individual,  dated  March,  1788,  he  says, 
in  reference  to  this  business — "For  my  part,  I 
have  digested  only  from  the  first  psalm  to  the  fifti' 
eth  inclusive.  I  mean,  if  it  please,  God  to  spare 
health,  to  go  through  the  whole,  and  I  wish  we 
might  be  so  prepared  in  the  work,  that  we  could 
compare  our  several  digests,  and  make  a  report  to 
the  Synod  at  the  next  sitting  in  May."  He  then 
adds,  "I  suppose  it  will  be  proper,  when  we  get 
the  new  Psalms  printed,  to  have  the  Catechism, 
Articles  of  Faith,  and  Liturgy,  printed  and  bound  up 
with  some  of  the  books,  and  leave  it  to  the  pur- 
chasers to  get  the  Psalm-book  either  with  or  with- 
out those  additions,  as  the  difference  in  the  price 
will  be  considerable.  But  a  fair  opportunity  will  now 
be  offered  to  publish  with  our  articles  and  liturgy, 
the  form  of  our  disciphne  and  government.  The 
Churches  in  America  are  all  assuming  a  new  com- 
plexion. From  being  the  appendages  of  national 
Churches  in  Europe,  they  now  become  national 
Churches  themselves  in  this  new  Empire.  All  the 
denominations  of  any  importance  in  America,  have 
considered  themselves  in  this  new  light,  and  have 
made  regulations  accordingly :  and  it  deserves  our 
attention  to  see  what  ought  to  be  done  with  respect 
to  ourselves  in  this  particular,  and  how  far  we  may 
proceed  consistent  with  the  relation  we  yet  claim 


NEW-YORK.  299 

to  our  mother  Church  in  Holland.  We  are  not 
represented,  and  we  cannot  have  a  representation 
in  the  Churches  in  Holland, — as  such,  we  have  al- 
ready formed  ourselves  into  an  independent  Sy- 
nod, and  we  have  sufficient  proof  that  some  of  our 
brethren  in  Amsterdam  would  rather  we  had  not 
done  this,  but  their  views  are  contracted,  and  can- 
not be  our  rule.  It  is  necessary  we  should  revise 
some  articles  in  our  fundamental  agreement  re- 
specting our  church  government  of  1771,  and  see 
whether  some  of  those  articles  do  not  militate 
against  our  independent  state." 

Under  date  of  March,  1789,  to  the  same,  he  says, 
"  I  have  received  answers  from  all  the  gentlemen 
of  the  committee,  and  am  authorized  and  requested 
by  them  to  proceed  with  the  printing.     The  ex- 
pectation and  wishes  of  our  Churches  are  raised, 
and  I  am  continually  asked  when  our  Psalms  will 
be  published.     *  *  *  I  now  only  wait  for  a  letter 
from  you  *  *  *.  As  to  the  translations,  and  what  re- 
spects our  Church    discipline  and  government, 
these,  I  suppose,  maybe  brought  in  such  readiness 
as  to  enable  us  to  make  some  report  in  the  Synod 
of  May,  and  take  such  further  steps,  as  to  lay  the 
whole  before  the  Synod  of  October.     But  the  Sy- 
nod has  empowered  the  Committee,  respecting  the 
Psalms,  to  proceed  to  the  printing  as  sopn  as  they 


300  NEW-VORK. 

shall  agree  upon  the  selection  from  the  respective 
authors." 

Upon  this  subject,  he  again  writes  to  the  same: — 
"  It  was  of  consequence  to  us  to  obtain  a  copy- 
right of  our  Psalm  Book.  As  our  Synod  is  not  a  body 
corporate,  I  took  it  out  in  the  name  of  our  Dutch 
Church  of  New- York ;  and,  to  ascertain  the  pro- 
perty for  the  Synod,  I  have  got  an  instrument 
sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  Consistory,  m  which  a 
declaration  is  made  that  this  right  is  held  in  trust 
for  the  Synod,  and  shall  always  be  subject  to  the 
direction  of  the  same." 

This  step  was  taken  at  the  suggestion  of  Dr. 
Linn,  and  some  other  friends ;  and  so  rapid  was 
the  sale  of  the  book,  that  a  second  edition  was 
soon  called  for.  Such  a  work  was,  indeed,  much 
needed :  and  with  all  its  faults — for  defective  it 
was,  in  several  respects,  it  gave  great  satisfaction 
at  tiie  time ;  and,  wherever  the  use  of  it  obtained* 
had  a  beneficial  influence* 

Among  the  papers  of  the  Doctor,  copies  have 
been  met  with,  of  two  letters, — the  one  to  Dr.  Har- 
denbergh,  of  New-Brunswick,  having  respect  to 
the  College  in  that  place, — the  other  to  a  private 
friend,  Mrs.  Judge  Livingston,  the  mother  of  the 


NEW-YORK.  301 

late  chancellor,  relating  to  points  upon  which,  as  it 
would  appear,  his  advice  had  been  asked:  and 
parts  of  the  same,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  present 
here,  on  account  of  the  important  opinions  contain- 
ed in  them,  and  the  evidence  they  funiish  of  the 
deep  interest  he  took  in  all  the  concerns  of  the 
Church,  whether  they  were  of  a  general  or  a  local 
nature. — The  first  is  dated  March  4th,  1790: 

"  Reverend  and  dear  Brother, 

"  The  subject  we  often  have  conversed  upon, 
has  never  been  brought  to  any  decided  point ; 
whether  we  differ  in  sentiment  or  are  fully  agreed, 
when  every  preliminary  respecting  the  execution  of 
the  plan,  is  taken  into  consideration,  we  do  not  yet 
know.   I  am  sincerely  glad  that  you  have  brought  it 
forward,  in  your  very  acceptable  letter  of  the  23d 
ult.  and  I  will  give  you  my  thoughts  in  answer,  with 
candour  and  confidential  freedom ;  for,  if  I  know  any 
thing  of  my  own  heart,  I  have  no  particular  advan- 
tage or  interest  in  view,  but  wish  to  examine  the 
question,  as  I  am  sure  you  do,  only  as  it  relates  to 
the  prosperity  of  the  Church,  and  is  calculated  to 
promote  the  general  welfare  of  our  Zion.     Your 
being  at  the  head  of  the  College,  and  ray  being 
placed  in  the  professorate,  may,  to  others,  appear 
as  an  evidence  of  our  being  partial  to  whatever  is 
calculated  to  promote  the  one  or  the  other  of  these 


302  NEW-VORK. 

branches ;  and  it  is  possible,  a  secret  influence  may, 
undiscerned  even  by  ourselves,  warp  our  judg- 
ments. But  I  think  I  view  the  subject  in  the  same 
light  I  formerly  did,*  and  am  ready  to  unite  in  its 
prosecution  with  the  same  impartiality,  as  if  I  had 
no  official  connexion  whatever  in  the  issue.  The 
jfive  reasons  you  give  in  support  of  your  sentiments 
are  weighty.  Each  of  them  is  true  and  import- 
ant, and  all  of  them  together  carry  great  conviction 
with  them.  I  thank  you  for  the  judicious  arrange- 
ment of  the  arguments,  and  confess  they  throw 
such  light  upon  the  subject,  as  leaves  Uttle  room 
for  opposition,  if  any  persons  should  be  found  wil- 
ling and  desirous  to  oppose.  For  myself,  I  assure 
you,  my  dear  Sir,  that  I  am  so  far  from  having  any 
inclination  to  obstruct  the  prosecution  of  the  plan, 
that  I  feel  sincerely  willing  to  do  all  in  my  power 
for  its  advancement,  and  as  soon  as  we  can  digest 
the  proper  means,  I  shall  be  happy  to  aid  in  its 
accomplishment." 

"  The  ambiguity  of  words  and  names  often  occa- 
sions a  difference  in  judgment,  and  very  frequently 

*  In  his  letter  to  Dr.  Westerlo,  which  was  written  some  time 
before  he  was  elected  the  professor,  and  is  given  in  the  last  chap- 
ter, sentiments  were  advanced  nearly,  or  substantially  the  same 
as  those  expressed  in  the  above,  touching  the  use  which  should 
^o  made  of  Queen's  College. 


NEW- YORK.  30S 

promotes  jealousies,  and  even  opposition,  where, 
in  fact,  the  principal  views  are  the  same." 

"  My  ideas  upon  this  subject  have  always  been, 
that  the  situation  of  our  Churches  required  a  lite- 
rary institution  ;  not  so  much  for  increasing  its  re- 
spectabiUty  by  the  accomplished  character  of  its  lay 
members,  (although  that  is  a  consideration  which, 
in  your  first  and  second  arguments,  you  have  men- 
tioned with  great  propriety, )  but  principally  to  pre- 
pare our  youths  for  the  ministry.  Theology  is  the 
branch  which  is  most  connected  with  the  Church. 
It  is  also  a  branch  in  which,  without  arrogance  we 
may  say,  our  Dutch  Churches  are  acknowledged, 
even  in  America,  to  equal,  if  not  exceed  other  de- 
nominations :  and,  if  proper  steps  could  be  taken 
to  lift  up  an  education  in  Theology,  in  a  conspicu- 
ous and  respectable  point  of  view,  we  might  not 
only  hope  to  supply  our  own  immediate  wants,  but 
also  be  the  means  of  supporting  the  great  truths  of 
our  holy  religion,  and  become  useful  to  other  deno- 
minations. So  far,  then,  as  a  College  might  be 
instrumental  to  promote  this  great  end,  I  always 
have  wished  a  College  might  be  instituted :  but  if 
by  a  College  is  understood  a  Literary  Institution, 
which  expands  m  all  the  branches  usually  taught  in 
Universities,  I  imagine  it  would  swallow  up  all  the 
resources  which  we  might  be  able  to  obtain,  and 


304  NEW-YORK 

in  that  view,  after  all  our  efforts,  we  should  still  fall 
short  of  the  principal  object.  *  *  I  beUeve  the  reli- 
gious liberty  which  is  now  established  since  the 
revolution  in  our  land,  and  the  liberality  of  senti- 
ment which  characterizes  our  country,  do  in  a  great 
measure  lessen  the  weight  of  the  arguments,  which 
before  the  war  might  have  been  urged  for  the  ne- 
cessity of  a  College  upon  the  broadest  basis  ;  but 
still  I  know  that  an  attachment  to  particular  deno- 
minations, and  a  partiality  in  favour  of  their  own,  so 
universally  actuates  all  men,  that  if  we  had  an  in- 
stitution, which  would  answer  the  usual  purposes 
of  educating  young  persons  destined  for  public 
life,  it  would  be  an  acquisition  to  us,  and  therefore 
I  would  wish  to  promote  such  an  institution,  provi- 
ded we  could  agree  to  set  proper  bounds  to  the 
expenses  necessary  for  obtaining  teachers  and 
apparatus  ;  and  remember  that  theology  was  our 
favourite  object  and  principal  aim,  and  all  the  rest 
was  only  the  porch  that  led  to  the  temple  of  reli- 
gious truth." 

"There  is  a  luxury  in  literature,  and  a  fascination 
in  the  public  approbation,  which  will  easily  lead  the 
patrons  of  a  College  from  their  original  object, 
and  tempt  them  to  spend  all  their  strength  upon 
the  more  popular  branches  of  education,  unless 
they  wisely  form  their  plan,  and  previously  limit 


NEW-YORK..  305 

themselves  by  proper  restrictions.  I  think,  with 
respect  to  ourselves,  it  is  very  practicable  to  ascer 
tain  the  general  system  of  a  College  in  a  line 
which  shall  procure  to  us  the  attention  of  the  public, 
and  sufficiently  answer  all  the  common  purposes  of 
Colleges  in  America,  and  yet  secure  the  principal 
object,  by  leaving  us  in  a  capacity  of  estabUsliing 
the  theological  branch  upon  a  respectable  and  per- 
manent basis.  I  am  not  fully  convinced  which 
ought  to  be  attempted  first,  or  whether  they  ought 
both  to  go  together.  What  you  mention  in  your  two 
last  arguments  appears  to  be  weighty,  and  I  have  at 
present  no  objection  against  attempting  the  busi- 
ness in  that  train.  Let  provision  be  made  for  the 
College  first.  I  am  perfectly  contented  to  fall  in 
with  any  plan,  which  appears  calculated  to  answer 
the  principal  object  which,  as  ministers  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  we  have  in  view.  As  to  the  exertions  of  the 
Dutch  Church  in  New- York,  much  may  be  said  in 
apology  for  a  people  which  has  been  ruined  by  the 
war,  and  are  now  still  straining  every  nerve  to  re- 
build their  demohshed  temples.  Their  wealth  is 
greatly  diminished,  and  it  is  not  in  their  power  to 
patronise  public  objects  with  the  same  liberality 
which,  before  the  war,  would  have  been  practicable 
for  them.  But  I  am  confident,  if  we  digest  a  plan 
in  a  wise  and  proper  manner,  and  convince  them  of 

S9 


306  NEW-YORK. 

its  safe  and  successful  operation,  they  will  not  with- 
hold their  proportional  assistance."  * 

The  second  of  these  letters  is  dated  March  23d, 
1790. 

'*  Dear  Madam, 
*********j  tiiank  you 
for  writing,  and  most  sincerely  sympathize  with  you, 
and  your  whole  neighbourhood,  in  the  want  of  the 
public  ordinances  of  divine  worship.  The  va- 
cant congregations  are  so  numerous,  that,  as  fast  as 
we  send  out  new  candidates,  they  are  immediately 


*  The  person  to  whom  this  letter  was  addressed,  was  a  clergy- 
man of  high  standing  and  great  influence  in  the  Dutch  Church, 
and  his  name  deserves  a  place  in  the  roll  of  the  most  useful  and 
most  honoured  of  her  departed  worthies. 

The  following  brief  account  of  him  is  taken  from  the  Christian's 
Magazine.  "  Dr.  Hardenburgh  was  an  American.  Although  he 
had  not  been  favoured  with  the  same  advantages  in  the  early  part 
of  his  education,  which  some  of  his  contemporaries  enjoyed,  yet, 
with  a  powerful  mind,  and  habits  of  persevering  appUcation,  he 
made  such  progress  in  knowledge,  that  he  was  justly  esteemed  a 
great  divine. — He  was  ordained  by  the  Ccetus,  and  was  the  most 
distinguished  and  able  supporter  of  that  party.  His  piety  was 
ardent ;  his  labours  indefatigable  ;  and  his  ministry  greatly  bles- 
sed. He  was  the  first  president  of  Queen's  College,  and  died  in 
that  office  at  Brunswick,  in  1792,  universally  lamented." 


iVEW-YOBK.  -307 

called,  and  I  know  not  of  any  resource  sufficient, 
immediately  to  supply  the  places  which  are  desti- 
tute. It  is  expected  there  will  be  three  or  four  stu- 
dents who  will  come  forward  next  fall,  but  these 
will  be  very  inadequate  to  the  demands  of  the  church- 
es. I  know  of  no  remedy  for  the  present,  but 
that  the  respective  classes  must  pay  more  attention 
to  the  vacancies  within  their  district,  and  by  a 
punctual  rotation  of  duty,  supply  such  places  with 
frequent  service." 

"  The  Methodists,  who  you  mention  as  indefati- 
gable in  promoting  their  opinions,  appear  to  be  in- 
deed very  zealous.  I  am  but  Uttle  acquainted 
with  them :  I  know  none  of  their  preachers,  and 
can  only  judge  of  their  doctrines  from  a  few  of 
their  books  which  I  have  seen.  I  hope,  in  charity, 
that  men  who  so  industriously  strive  to  warn  sin- 
ners of  the  evil  of  their  ways,  have  the  glory  of  God 
in  view^ ;  and  I  most  sincerely  wish  they  may  be 
the  means  of  alarming  many  stupid  and  wicked 
characters,  with  which  our  country  abounds.  Great 
allowances  ought  undoubtedly  to  be  made  for  per- 
sons who  are  not  within  the  means  of  proper  infor- 
mation, and  who  are  strongly  prejudiced  against 
certain  words  and  phrases,  which,  however  scriptu- 
ral and  true,  appear  to  them  to  convey  an  improper 
idea.  Under  such  impressions  they  may  be  strbngh'^ 


308  NEW-YORK. 

attached  to  a  system  which  compreiiends  many 
errors,  without  seeing^  the  consequences  which  flow 
from  their  creed ;  but,  whatever  difference  there 
may  be  in  their  phraseology,  I  cannot  conceive  that 
any  who  have  experienced  the  saving  influences  of 
the  Blessed  Spirit,  who  is  the  Spirit  of  truth,  and 
received  the  Lord  Jesus,  as  he  is  offered  in  his  word, 
can  heartily  oppose  the  doctrines  of  grace  as  pro- 
fessed by  our  Reformed  Church,  or  be  at  real 
enmity  against  those  truths,  which  not  only  singly 
vindicate  the  sovereignty  and  glory  of  God,  but  are 
so  connected  and  mutually  support  each  other,  that  if 
one  is  taken  away,  the  whole  chain  is  broken,  and 
the  plan  of  redemption,  which  is  worthy  of  God,  and 
illustriously  displays  all  the  divine  perfections,  be- 
comes obscured,  if  not  essentially  changed.  *  *  * 
It  is  said  the  knowing  and  learned  among  them,  of 
which  there  is  no  doubt  a  considerable  number, 
avowedly  adopt  the  whole  system  of  the  Arminian 
doctrines  :  if  so,  their  opposition  to  the  confession 
of  faith  of  the  Reformed  Church  is  easily  account- 
ed for." 

"  There  was,  sometime  ago,  a  considerable  ru- 
mour throughout  the  city,  respecting  the  religious 
exercises  of  many  in  the  Methodist  Church. — 
AVhether  there  was  any  foundation  for  the  favour- 
a])le  report  you  heard  concerning  it,  I  do  not  know. 


NEW-YORK.  309 

I  wish  it  may  be  true;  my  soul  would  rejoice  if  hun- 
dreds of  simiers  were  savingly  converted  by  what- 
ever instruments  the  Lord  might  choose.  Instead  of 
gainsaying  the  work,  I  would  most  willingly  unite 
my  thanksgiving  to  the  great  Redeemer.  But  it 
certainly  is  premature  to  pretend  to  ascertam  with 
precision,  the  numbers  which  are  converted  upon 
no  other  evidence  than  the  impressions  received, 
or  affections  expressed,  in  one  hour.  It  argues  an 
ignorance  of  the  human  heart,  or  the  pride  of  party 
ostentation,  to  come  forward  with  such  accounts 
so  soon  and  so  positively." 

Two  of  his  particular  clerical  friends,  and  most 
able  coadjutors  in  ecclesiastical  matters,  about 
this  time  rested  from  their  labours  ;  and  he 
was  deeply  affected  with  the  loss  which  the  Church 
and  himself  had  sustained  in  their  death.  Divine 
Providence,  in  the  removal,  within  a  short  space, 
of  such  men,  eminent  for  their  wisdom,  piety, 
and  zeal,  seemed  to  him  to  wear  a  very  frowning 
aspect,  and  to  indicate  that  God  had  a  controversy 
with  the  Church. 

He  thus  feelingly  expresses  himself  upon  the 
subject,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Romeyn,  of  Nov.  1791  : 
"  When  I  returned  home,  I  was  greatly  afflicted 
to  find  a  letter,  which  announced  the  death  of  our 


.SIO  NEW- YORK. 

dear  brother  Meyer.    Another  *  of  our  pillars  is 
gone.     He  was  a  good  and  great  man.     We  deser- 

*The  other  person  whose  death  is  alluded  to,  it  is  presumed,  was 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  of  Albany.  He  died  the  prece- 
ding year.  This  excellent  servant  of  Christ  "  was  a  native  of 
Holland.  He  had  just  finished  his  studies  in  the  university  of 
Groningen,  when  a  call  from  the  Dutch  Church  in  Albany  was  put 
into  his  hands,  which  he  accepted,  and  came  to  America,  in  1760. 
He  was  a  man  of  strong  mind,  of  eminent  piety,  and  of  great  eru- 
dition, especially  in  theology,  his  favourite  study,  and  in  Oriental 
Literature.  He  was  highly  popular  and  useful  as  a  preacher  ; 
and  lived  in  great  honour  and  esteem  with  his  brethren  in  the 
ministry,  and  with  the  Churches  in  general,  until  his  removal  by 
death." — And  to  this  small  tribute  to  his  memory,  which  is  extract- 
ed from  the  Christian's  Magazine,  it  may  be  added  that  he  was  an 
active,  prudent,  and  leading  member  of  the  several  judicatories  of 
the  Church,  in  which  he  laboured  with  zeal  to  promote  every 
good  work.  At  the  restoration  of  peace,  and  in  all  that  train  of 
business  which  succeeded,  and  upon  the  proper  execution  of  which 
so  much  depended,  he  acted  a  conspicuous  and  important  part. 

Dr.  Hermaims  Meyer  was  also  from  Holland,  and  came  over 
to  America,  in  1762.  He  was  esteemed  one  of  the  most  amia- 
ble of  men,  and  a  learned,  pious,  and  faithful  ambassador  of  Christ. 
He  settled  first  at  Kingston.  From  the  Church  in  this  place,  how- 
ever, such  was  the  unrelenting  temper  excited  by  the  unhappy  dis- 
pute of  the  day — he  was  soon  excluded,  on  the  ground  of  his 
connexion  with  the  Coetus  party.  He  afterwards  took  charge 
of  a  congregation  at  Pompton,  in  New-Jersey,  and  the 
tjJeneral  Synod  appointed  him  their  professor  of  oriental  lan- 
•luaffes.     Few  men  stood  higher  in  the  opinion  of  (he  Church  al 


NEW- YORK.  311 

vedly  loved  him,  and  placed  great  confidence  in 
him.  What  a  dark  cloud  appears  to  hover  over 
our  Churches  !  Truly,  my  dear  friend,  we  have 
reason  to  mourn,  and  inquire  why  the  Lord  is  con- 
tending with  us.  The  ways  of  Providence  are  in 
the  great  deep,  and  who  can  foresee  the  issue.  But 
few  of  us  are  now  left  to  whom  our  younger  bre- 
thren look  for  direction  and  assistance.  Surely  the 
remnant  must  become  more  and  more  precious  to 
each  other,  and  it  behooves  us  to  make  every  ne- 
cessary arrangement  for  the  establishment  and 
prosperity  of  our  ecclesiastical  matters,  with^as 
much  haste  as  is  consistent  with  prudence.'* 

The  Doctor  was  now  busily  engaged  as  one 
of  a  committee  which  had  been  appointed  to 
prepare  a  work  that  should  present,  in  a  simple  and 
condensed  form,  the  Doctrines,  Worship,  and  Go- 
vernment of  the  Church.  The  task  was  one  of 
great  responsibility  ;  and  the  labour  of  compiling 
and  arranging  the  matter  appertaining  to  the  several 
subjects,  was  divided  chiefly,  as  it  would  appear, 
between  himself  and  Dr.  Komeyn.  A  few  ex- 
tracts from  his  correspondence  with  this  gentleman, 


large,  or  was  more  generally  beloved  than  Dr.  Meyer — and  his 
death,  so  soon  following  that  of  the  lamented  Westerlo,  was  an 
event  calculated  to  awaken  among  all  who  were  concerned  for  the 
welfare  of  our  Zion,  sorrowful  feelings  and  painful  anticipations. 


312  NEW-YORK. 

in  reference  to  the  business,  will  give  some  idea  of 
what  was  his  share  of  it,  and  of  the  pains  he  took 
that  the  Church  might  be  furnished  with  a  suitable 
manual  to  regulate  her  future  concerns. 

In  a  letter  dated  May  12th,  1790,  he  says — "  I  am 
happy  to  see  from  your  letter,  that  you  are  engaged 
in  that  work,  which  I  have  so  often  requested  and 
wished  you  would  finish.     The  division  you  make 
is  a  very  natural  and  proper  one  ;  I  have  only  to 
observe  that,  under  the  third  head,  which  is  to  com- 
prise extracts  from  ihepost  acta,  solutions  of  ques- 
tions, and  subsequent  acts  and  regulations  of  our 
Synod,  you  will  need  more  attention  to  know  what 
to  leave  out,  than  what  to  insert.     The  variety  of 
cases  which  have  occurred,  and  which  will  for  ever 
arise  in  the  Church,  upon  which  some  solution  or 
determmation  must  be  made,  are  little  less  than 
infinite,  and,  from  some  particular  circumstances 
attending  them,  are  seldom  found  to  be  exactly 
alike.  Nothing  more  can,  therefore,  be  done  in  any 
church  government,  than  to  lay  down  some  ge. 
neral  principles,  and  leave  it  to  the  Synods  to 
apply  these  with  prudence  and  care  in  the  decision 
of  particular  cases.     It  will  be  safe  in  us  not  to 
descend  too  far  to  particulars  in  our  publication,  but 
only  exhibit  to  the  world  the  outlines  of  our  views 
of  Church  discipline,  and  our  leading  principles 
and  conduct." 


JSJEW-VORK. 


31B 


in  another  of  July,  1790:  *  *  *  *  "  Your  pro- 
gress in  our  church  papers  gives  me  pleasure ;  but, 
that  you  find  a  part  of  your  work  is  to  be  done 
over  again,  is  very  chagrining.  I  hope  you  may  be 
able  to  finish  agreeably  to  the  plan  you  have  pro- 
posed, and  I  make  no  doubt  but  it  will  be  accept- 
able to  the  Synod.  Upon  looking  over  the  acts  of 
our  first  Vergadering,  which  contain  the  outlines  of 
our  present  Church  government,  I  find  it  will  not 
read  well  in  English,  to  translate  the  whole,  verbo  te- 
nus,  from  the  Dutch.  Do  you  not  suppose  it  would 
answer  every  purpose  of  publication,  which  is  to 
convey  the  standards  of  our  discipline,  if  the  con- 
tents of  our  grand  Artikulen  were  faithfully  given  in 
a  good,  easy  English  style,  without  restricting  our- 
selves to  a  full  translation  of  every  word,  which,  as 
it  was  not  designed  for  the  press,  so  in  many  pas- 
sages, is  not  sufficiently  accurate  for  that  pur- 
pose?"— In  another  of  March,  1791,  "I  have 
not  been  able,  until  within  a  few  days  past,  to  take 
up  the  subject  of  our  own  constitution  and  disci- 
pline. Upon  considering  the  design  of  the  publica- 
tion, I  am  fully  of  your  opinion,  that  there  is  no  ne- 
cessity of  adhering  strictly  to  a  translation,  totidem 
verbis^  of  the  Synod  of  Dort :  nor  even  of  giving 
every  article,  as  many  of  them  are  local,  and  only 
applicable  to  the  Netherlands.  It  is  not  a  history  of 

the  Dutch  Church  as  it  is  in  Europe,  which  we  are  tf> 

40 


.314  NEW- YORK. 

compile,  but  a  true  and  regular  detail  of  the  consti- 
tution of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America. 
As  our  charters  and  our  discipline  refer  us  to  the 
Synod  of  Dort,  we  must  show  that  we  build  upon  that 
basis,  with  such  deviations  as  time  and  circumstances 
have  rendered  unavoidable.     We  have  two  sources 
from  whence  we  draw  our  present  constitution, — 
one,  the  Synod  of  Dort ; — and  the  other,  the  resolu- 
tions and  fundamental  articles  agreed  upon  by  our 
Churches,  and  ratified  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
in  the  name  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland. — 
From  these  and  some  subsequent  acts  of  our  own 
Synod,  our  discipline  is  formed.     If  we  mention 
these  sources  in  the  head  or  title,  and  then  proceed 
to  exhibit  one  regular  system,  without  any  circum- 
locutions or  repetitions,  it  will  appear  more  simple 
and  connected,  and  will  be  better  understood,  than 
a  large  translation,  and  explanatory  notes,   could 
possibly  make  it.     To  this  end,  suppose  a  title  like 
this  was  made.     "  The  Constitution  and  Form  of 
Government  of  the  Reformed  Dutch   Church  in 
America,  as    es  ablished   in  the  Synod  Nat :  of 
Dort,  1618 — 19 ;  and  agreed  upon  in  the  Assembly 
held  at  New- York,  1771—72,  by  and  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,and  finally  ratifi- 
ed in  Synod,  held  at  New- York,  October,  1791." — 
This,  or  something  shorter,  which  may  comprehend 
these  ideas,  will  justify  us  in  making  such  extra-cts 


NEW-YORK.  315 

from  each  of  these  sources,  as  shall,  altogether,  bring 
forward  one  complete  system.  This  will  show  to 
the  world  what  our  present  constitution  is,  and  suf- 
ficiently prove  our  connection  and  adherence  to  the 
Synod  of  Dort.  I  wish  to  know  your  ideas  upon 
the  subject.     Please  to  drop  me  a  line." 

.Under  date  of  August  1st,  1791,  he  says, "  I  have 
not  yet  been  able  to  pay  much  attention  to  the 
business  respecting  our  church  government,  but  I 
will  endeavour  to  draw  out  soon,  the  whole  sketch, 
agreeably  to  our  mutual  views,  and  will  send  it  up 
for  your  inspection." 

Again  he  says,  under  date  of  August  20th :  "  I  am 
so  slow  in  my  progress  with  the  Acts  of  Dordrecht, 
that  I  know  not  whether  I  shall  be  able  to  accom- 
plish your  expectations." 

The  sketch,  however,  was  prepared  and  submitted 
to  the  Synod  ;  but  not  being  in  a  finished  state,  was 
again  put  into  the  hands  of  the  committee,  for  re* 
visal : — And  in  November,  he  wrote  again — "  I  will 
try,  as  the  Lord  shall  give  me  strength,  to  attend  to 
our  constitution,  and  prepare  a  fair  and  accurate 
copy,  for  the  approbation  and  final  decision  of 
Synod.  The  notes  and  observations  you  mention, 
must  be  attended  to  also  ;  but  they  must  be  short 
and  guardedly  worded.    I  wish  you  would  draw 


316  NEW-YORK. 

out  a  sketch  of  such  which  you  especially  judge  to 
be  most  important,  and  send  it  to  me." — In  a  letter 
dated  March,  1792,  there  is  the  following  para- 
graph :  "  Upon  looking  over  the  papers,  as  they 
now  stand  corrected  by  the  Synod,  I  find  the  first, 
third,  and  fourth  parts,  may  be  easily  brought  into 
form,  without  alterations  or  additions  of  much  con- 
sequence ;  but  what  to  do  with  the  second  part, 
which  respects  our  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies,  I  do 
not  yet  know  :  as  it  now  stands,  it  appears  deficient. 
To  make  it  intelligible,  and  answer  the  purpose  of 
a  standard  for  the  information  of  all  our  members,  I 
believe  some  additions  will  be  found  necessary.  I 
have  not  yet  digested  particulars,  but  will  send  you 
a  sketch  of  them  as  soon  as  I  can  get  them  ready." 

The  following  March,  he  wrote  again  : — "  I  have 
discovered  that  to  make  the  whole  ready  for  the 
press,  will  unavoidably  demand  more  time  than  can 
be  found  previous  to  the  Synod  in  May;  I,  therefore, 
now  put  in  a  plea  for  an  abatement  to  any  promises 
on  my  part,  or  injunctions  on  the  part  of  the  Synod 
for  that  purpose." 

"  An  idea  has  occurred  to  me  respecting  this 
business,  which  I  wish  to  communicate  and  re- 
ceive your  advice  upon.  I  find  the  Synods  in 
Holland,  &c.  as  they  successively  brought  forward 


NEW- YORK*  317 

their  Church  orders,  always  retained  what  the  for- 
mer and  more  ancient  Churches  had  done.  This 
they  made  their  text,  and  added  only  what  might 
be  considered  essentially  appUcable  to  themselves. 
This  is  remarkably  the  case  in*  the  acts  of  the 
Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.  Although  several  new 
circumstances  had  occurred,  which  rendered  some 
alterations  necessary,  yet  in  their  solemn  revision 
of  the  Church  orders,  they  retain  almost  word  for 
word,  the  rules  of  the  Synod  held  at  the  Hague, 
1586,  and  whatever  they  judged  to  be  local  and 
temporary,  they  added  afterwards  in  their  post  acta. 
If  we  apply  this  to  ourselves,  and  wish  to  retain 
the  same  attachment  to  the  ancient  Reformed 
Churches,  our  line  for  procedure  will  be  easily 
marked  out.  *  *  *  *  Suppose  we  should, 
then,  by  a  careful  inspection  from  one  article  to 
another,  collect  a  short  but  precise  system  of  ex- 
planations, which  as  the  express  work  of  our  own 
Synod,  may  be  added  as  an  organizmg  act ;  and 
then  the  original  articles,  together  with  our  organi- 
zation, will  serve  to  exhibit  a  clear,  and  at  the  same 
time,  a  respectable  Chiu-ch  order.  *  *  *  If 
we  should  adopt  this  mode,  then  the  exact  and  pru- 
dent translation,  &c.  of  the  original  articles  will  be 
only  the  smallest  part  of  the  work.  Our  post  acta 
will  require  the  greatest  dehberation.  In  this  view 
you  will  acquiesce  in  my  expectation  that  the  work 


318  NEW-YORK. 

cannot  be  ready  in  May  next,  nor  do  I  see  any 
necessity  of  hurrying  ourselves  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  produce  an  unfinished  or  undigested  work.  If 
such  an  idea  should  be  adopted,  as  I  have  now  men- 
tioned, there  woilld  be  no  necessity  for  adding  ex- 
planatory notes,  and  blotting  our  page  with  things 
which,  perhaps,  the  people  would  not  understand  ; 
but  the  whole  that  is  local  would  appear  in  one 
inteUigible  act  of  organization  : — But  I  submit  the 
idea  to  you,  and  wish  you  would  please  to  drop  a 
line  as  soon  as  you  can." 

The  work  was  arranged  in  conformity  to  the 
plan  here  suggested,  presenting  the  practice  of 
the  Church,  or  the  manner  in  which  the  Rules  of 
Church  Government  of  the  National  Synod  of 
Dordrecht,  are  apphed  and  executed  in  this  coun- 
try, in  a  set  of  explanatory  articles,  wliich  were 
solemnly  ratified  in  the  General  Synod  held  at 
New- York,  the  10th  day  of  October,  1792  ;  and  it 
was  afterwards  published  under  the  title  of  "  the 

CONSTITUTION  OF    THE  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, 
IN    THE    UNITED    STATES    OF   AMERICA. 

The  adoption  of  this  constitution  is  a  most 
memorable  event,  as  it  estabhshed  that  consolida- 
tion of  the  union,  without  which,  it  was  much  to  be 
feared,  the  union  would  be  but  of  temporary  dura- 


NEW-YORK.  319 

tion,  and  placed  the  Church  in  a  position  to  maintain 
her  character,  to  make  herself  known  and  respected 
among  other  denominations,  and  to  prosecute  with 
life  and  energy,  any  enterprise,  the  successful  ac- 
complishment of  which  might  be  deemed  essential 
to  her  future  prosperity.  And  of  the  Constitution, 
it  may  be  averred,  without  fear  of  contradiction, 
that  it  has  proved  the  Palladium,  (if  the  term  be 
allowable)  of  the  Church,  or  rather  the  great  safe- 
guardy  next  to  the  Bible,  under  the  divine  blessing, 
of  her  government,  peace,  and  purity. — It  is  a  good 
caution.  Remove  not  the  ancient  landmark  which  thy 
fathers  have  set  ;*  and  the  writer  trusts  that  he  wUl 
not  be  charged  with  a  want  of  modesty,  or  give  any 
offence,  for  taking  the  liberty  here  to  express  his 
hope,  that  a  work  which  imbodies  the  results  of 
our  fathers'  wisdom  and  experience,  and  which  has 
hitherto  been  attended  with  such  an  happy  influ- 
ence in  the  Church,  may  be  preserved  inviolate. 

It  would  be  ungenerous,  and  by  no  means  accord 
with  the  impartiality  of  true  history,  to  ascribe  the 
whole  of  this  performance  to  Dr.  Livingston ;  but 
to  all,  nevertheless,  who  are  acquainted  with  its 
contents,  the  fact  must  be  too  evident  to  be  dis- 
puted, after  perusing  his  correspondence,  that  not  a 


*  Prov.  xxli.  28. 


320  xVEW-YORK 

small  part  of  the  toil  and  responsibility  connected 
with  it,  devolved  upon  him. — It  is  believed,  too,  that 
he  was  the  first  person  to  propose  that  a  constitu- 
tion of  the  Church  be  drawn  up,  which,  as  the  rea- 
der may  recollect,  he  did  in  his  letter  to  Dr.  R.  of 
March,  1788  ;t — and  for  thisy  if  for  no  other  reason, 
he  may  with  propriety  be  represented  as  the  Father 
of  itf  and  the  representation,  it  is  conceived,  in- 
volves no  injustice  or  disrespect  to  the  memory  of 
his  able  and  efficient  associate. 

t  See  page  298. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


FROM  THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE 

CHURCH,  TILL  HIS  ACCEPTANCE  OF  THE 

CALL    FROM  NEW  BRUNSWICK. 

The  Constitution,  being  adopted  by  the  Gene- 
ral Synod,  was  consigned  for  publication  to  the 
Committee  which  had  digested  it ;  and  the  same 
was  published  under  the  inspection  of  Doctor  Li- 
vingston. Under  date  of  May  4th,  1793,  he  wrote 
to  Dr.  R.  as  follows  :  "I  wish  it  was  in  my  power 
to  send  you  a  copy  of  our  Churcii  Orders.  They 
are  in  the  press,  and  have  been  so  for  some  weeks ; 
but  the  printer,  as  usual,  goes  on  slowly.  I  have 
thought  it  would  be  proper  to  insert  after  the  arti- 
cles of  faith  and  catechism,  the  Canones  Synodi 
Dort  : — Our  young  candidates  subscribe  them  i 
and  they  ought  to  be  well  acquainted  with  them. — 
Perhaps  also  a  public  testimony  in  favour  of  the 
pecuUar  doctrines  of  grace  at  this  day,  may  be  very 
proper  not  only,  but  even  necessary.  Pray  is  it 
your  idea,  that  we  should  omit  in  the  Church  Or- 
ders of  Dort :  the  particular  phrases  which  express 

what  relates  to  the  magistrate  ?  or  must  we  in  the 

41 


322  NEW-YORK. 

translation  put  every  word  that  is  found  in  the  ori- 
ginal? There  is  a  note  in  the  explanatory  arti- 
cles, which  declares  that  we  have  omitted  those  pe- 
culiarities, and,  in  the  preface,  it  can  also  be  men- 
tioned. Upon  the  whole,  I  think  it  wiU  not  only  be 
more  inteUigible  to  our  people,  if  we  leave  those 
parts  out ;  but  it  will  spare  a  number  of  apologies 
and  explanations,  we  shall  be  for  ever  obliged 
to  be  making." 

In  a  letter  of  June,  1793,  he  informed  him  that 
the  work  was  going  on,  and  far  advanced,  and  then 
added  — "  I  hope  it  will  be  executed  in  an  accept- 
able manner.  Some  of  the  Anabaptists,  in  a  letter, 
have  expressed  their  uneasiness  at  the  harsh  ex- 
pressions in  our  articles  of  faith  respecting  them. 
The  people  meant  in  those  articles  were  then  call- 
ed Anabaptists ;  but  those  who  now  pass  by  that 
namey  do  not  hold  such  sentiments.  Notice  must  be 
taken  of  that  in  the  preface :  I  wish  a  note  had 
been  added  at  the  foot  of  the  article,  for  it  is  not 
our  design  to  give  offence ;  but  the  articles  are  al- 
ready stuck  off." 

The  publication  of  the  work  was  completed 
soon  after,  and  in  the  preface,  he  inserted  a  para- 
graph explanatory  of  the  terms  which  had  been 
considered  objectionable  and  injurious  to  the  cha- 


racter  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  as  known  in  this 
country. 

The  DoctorVatched  over  the  Church,  as  a  tendei* 
and  faithful  parent  watches  over  abeloved  child:  and, 
the  relation  which  he  sustained  to  her,  as  the  pro- 
fessor of  theology,  gave  him  a  kind  of  paternal  in- 
fluence in  all  her  concerns.  It  was  not  viewed  as  in- 
deUcate  obtrusion  in  him  to  offer  his  advice,  though 
it  were  not  expressly  solicited,  upon  any  question 
of  general  importance,  or  likely  to  affectin  the  issue, 
the  welfare  of  the  Church  : — That  was,  in  fact, 
his  prerogative^  seemingly  by  common  consent,  on 
account  of  his  station  and  eminent  personal  quali- 
ties; and  he  would,  whenever  the  occasion  was 
such  as  to  require  it,  promptly  and  without  reserve, 
yet  modestly  or  without  assuming  authority,  ex- 
ert himself  to  prevent,  if  possible,  an  apprehended 
evil. 

The  Trustees  of  Queen^s  College  had,  the  pre- 
ceding year,  with  the  approbation  of  the  General 
Synod,  made  some  attempts  in  the  Churches  to  in- 
crease the  funds  of  their  Institution  ;  but  these 
attempts  proving  only  partially  successful,  they 
became  discouraged  and  desirous,  it  would  seem, 
to  rid  themselves  of  a  charge,  which  had  hitherto 
continually  disappointed  their  hopes,  and  involved 


3.24  NEW-YORK. 

them  in  trouble.  A  plan  was  now  conceived  for 
forming  a  union  with  the  College  at  Princeton,  and 
an  overture  with  this  intention,  was  actually  sub- 
mitted to  the  Trustees  of  that  College.  When 
information  of  these  facts  reached  New- York,  the 
Doctor,  with  many  others,  was  thrown  into  a  state 
of  painful  anxiety,  and  felt  much  alarmed  for  the 
mischief  which  he  foresaw  a  measure  so  unadvised 
would,  if  pursued,  inevitably  produce.  A  meeting 
of  the  Trustees  being  called  shortly  after,  to  deli- 
berate and  decide  upon  the  whole  business, — at 
the  request  of  Dr.  Linn,  he  presented  a  full  ex- 
pression of  his  opinion  in  writing  which,  it  is  presu- 
med, that  gentleman  read  at  the  board. — The 
paper  containing  this  opinion  was  enclosed  in  the 
following  letter — 

"  My  dear  Colleague, 
"  Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  have  committed 
to  writing  my  sentiments  upon  the  proposed  union 
between  Brunswick  and  Princeton.  It  was  im- 
possible to  communicate  what  I  suppose  to  be  the 
public  opinion  respecting  this  business,  without 
being  prolix  upon  some  points.  As  you  wished  for 
full  information,  you  will  readily  excuse  the  length 
of  the  enclosed.  I  need  not  tell  you  that  I  am  per- 
fectly indifferent,  as  to  myself,  and  feel  wholly 
independent  of  any  consequences  which  may  arise 


NEW-YORK:.  325 

from  the  issue  of  this  question,  be  the  determina- 
tion whatever  it  may.  But,  I  acknowledge  myself 
greatly  concerned  for  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  am 
a  sincere  friend  to  both  Colleges.  From  the  enlarg- 
ed and  proper  views  you  have  of  this  matter,  I 
am  confident  you  will  bring  conviction  to  those  who 
have  hitherto  considered  the  subject  in  a  different 
light.  I  wish  you  may  be  an  instrument,  in  this 
instance  also,  of  doing  great  good  for  Zion.  Be 
assured  of  my  esteem,  and  .sincere  respect,  and 
affection,  and  that  I  am  ever 

"  Totus  tuus, 

"  J.  H.  Livingston. 
"  October  25,  1793." 

The  paper  is  headed  "  Observations  upon  the 
Overture  respecting  an  Union  between  the  College 
at  Brunswick,  and  that  at  Princeton  ;"  and  com- 
mences thus  : — "  It  is  reported  that  the  Trustees  of 
the  College  at  Brunswick,  have  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  meet  with  a  Committee  from  the  College 
at  Princeton,  in  order  to  devise  a  plan  for  uniting 
those  two  institutions. — That  the  two  Committees 
have  met  and  formed  a  plan  ;  the  outlines  of  which 
are,  that  both  the  Colleges  shall  surrender  their 
charters,  and  obtain  one  new  charter,  which  shall 
estabhsh  the  College  at  Princeton,  comprehend 
the  funds  of  both,  and  increase  the  number  of  Trus- 


S2e  NEW*YORK. 

tees,  the  one  half  of  which  shall  be  from  among  the 
Trustees  of  each  College,  respectively  ;  and  that 
an  academy  shall  be  erected  at  Brunswick,  under 
the  immediate  care  and  patronage  of  the  Trustees.'* 

The  paper  is  too  long  to  be  inserted  entire, 
but  a  few  extracts  will  show  the  manner  in  which 
he  treated  the  subject. — In  the  introduction  he 
says,  "  When  proposals,  which  comprehend  ob- 
jects of  such  magnitude  are  under  consideration, 
it  becomes  the  duty  of  every  person,  who  is  capa- 
ble of  throwing  light  upon  the  subject,  to  examine 
with  candour,  the  proposed  plan,  and  point  out  the 
train  of  consequences,  which  will  inevitably  suc- 
ceed, if  wrong  measures  should  be  pursued.  It  is 
no  reflection  upon  the  most  respectable  characters, 
however  exalted  and  justly  revered  they  may  be 
for  their  integrity  and  information,  to  suppose  there 
may  be  some  things  wliich  may  have  escaped  their 
notice,  and  which,  if  pointed  out,  with  due  defer- 
ence, they  will  cheerHilly  attend  to.  It  is  not  the 
intention  of  the  writer  of  these  observations,  to  call 
in  question  the  principles  or  conduct  of  any  con- 
cerned, in  the  overture  now  before  the  public. — 
He  knows  the  persons  to  be  men  of  honour  and 
conscience,  and  is  convinced  that  they  aim  at  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  mankind ;  but  he  is 
equally  convinced  that  the  subject  has  not  been 


NEW-YORK.  327 

thoroughly  investigated,  nor  the  nature  and  effects 
of  the  plan  fully  examined.  He  needs  no  apology 
for  the  freedom  he  takes.  He  is  conscious  of  his 
benevolence,  and  knows  he  is  actuated  by  a  sin- 
cere and  disinterested  desire  of  preventing  good 
men  from  doing,  what,  in  the  issue,  may  prove  an 
irremediable  evil.  With  the  utmost  plainness  and 
candour,  therefore,  he  will  first  examine  whether 
the  steps  already  taken,  and  the  plan  proposed  by 
the  Trustees  of  Queen's  College,  in  theirlate  over- 
ture, are  justifiable  and  ought  to  be  pursued. — 
And  then  if  it  shall  appear  the  plan  is  impracticable, 
point  out  what  can  and  ought  to  be  done,  to  an- 
swer the  design  of  the  Institution,  and  meet  the  ex- 
pectation and  wishes  of  its  friends  and  patrons." — 
These,  and  a  few  more  conciliatory  remarks  being 
made,  he  glances  at  the  manner  in  which  the  busi- 
ness had  been  conducted  thus  far,  and  then  par- 
ticularly considers  the  plan  proposed. 

His  arguments  against  the  adoption  of  the  plan 
are  irresistibly  conclusive. — He  proves,  in  ikQ first 
place,  that  "  Two  Institutions  seated  at  a  distance 
from  each  other,  and  supported  by  different  inte- 
rests, can  never  be  united.  The  funds  of  one  may 
be  given  away  to  the  other ;  but  to  call  that  a  union, 
would  be  an  abuse  of  language."  In  the  second 
place,  that  *'  admitting  an  union  with  Princeton  to 
be  possible,    admitting  the    Trustees  possess  a 


NEW-YORK. 

power  in  law  to  surrender  their  charter,  and  give 
away  their  funds  to  any  person  or  institution  they 
may  choose,"  it  would  be,  nevertheless,  very  impro- 
per for  them  to  do  so,  and  would  involve  a  violation 
of  solemn  obligations.  At  the  close  of  this  argu- 
ment, he  observes,  "  When  Hackensack  repeated- 
ly offered  to  give  several  thousand  pounds,  if  the 
College  might  be  moved  to  that  place,  it  was  always 
strenuously  objected  by  the  Trustees,  that  such  re- 
moval was  impracticable  ;  that  it  would  be  a  betray- 
ing of  the  public  trust  and  confidence  ;  that  the 
moneys  had  been  expressly  given  in  the  expecta- 
tion of  their  being  expended  in  Brunswick,  and  that 
therefore,  no  temptation  or  offer,  could  justify  them 
in  removing  the  institution.  But,  if  a  bare  remo- 
val, when  the  charter,  the  nature  of  the  College, 
and  its  patrons  still  remained  the  same,  would 
operate  to  a  betraying  of  the  public  faith,  what 
must  be  thought,  and  what  will  be  thought,  of  a  plan 
which  effects,  not  only  a, removal,  but  an  alienation 
of  the  funds,  with  the  total  extinction  of  the  charter, 
and  all  the  hopes  and  expectations  of  its  friends  and 
benefactors  ?" 

In  discussing  the  second  thing — "  What  can  and 
ought  to  be  done  to  answer  the  design  of  the  in- 
stitution ?"  he  says,  "  That  the  charter  of  Queen's 
College  was  obtained  by  the  immediate  agency 
and  influence  of  several  pious  ministers,  and  mem- 


NEW-YORK.  B29 

bers  of  the  Dutch  Church,  with  a  particular  design 
of  rendering  it  subservient  to  a  regular  theological 
education,  and  to  prepare  young  men  for  the  minis- 
try of  the  Gospel.  That  while  in  its  first  organization, 
from  a  want  of  competent  funds,  attention  was  only 
paid  to  the  usual  studies  pursued  in  other  Colleges, 
J  et  the  main  object  was  never  lost  sight  of  by  its 
well-informed  friends  and  benefactors.  —  That 
Queen's  College  was  early  recommended  to  the 
Synod  of  the  Dutch  Churches,  as  an  institution  im- 
mediately adapted  and  intended  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  Churches,  and  was  warmly  and  uni- 
formly patronised  by  the  Synod  for  that  very  pur- 
pose, as  appears  by  a  variety  of  minutes  entered, 
year  after  year,  upon  their  records  :  the  late  efforts 
made  by  the  Synod  in  its  behalf,  prove  that  the 
Dutch  Churches,  notwithstanding  the  backward- 
ness of  some  of  the  Trustees  to  meet  the  wishes  of 
the  Churches  in  their  favourite  object,  still  retain- 
ed their  attachment  to  the  College,  and  still  cherish- 
ed a  confidence  that  the  Trustees  would  ultimately 
co-operate  in  rendering  Queen's  College  particu- 
larly useful,  for  the  very  end  for  which  the  charter 
was  obtained. — That  while  Brunswick  yields  from 
necessity,  as  well  as  principle,  to  Princeton,  and 
cheerfully  consents  to  let  that  elder  and  very  re- 
spectable institution  continue  the  unrivalled  seat  of 
literature.  Queen's  CoUege  can  yet,  with  propriet^^^ 

and  dignity,  prosecute  that  other  end  which  was 

42 


mo 


NEW-YORK. 


expressly  contemplated  from  the  beginning.  So  far, 
then,  from  annihilating  the  charter,  or  taking  steps 
which  distress  the  public  mind  and  create  new 
feuds,  let  the  charter  and  the  trustees  remain  with- 
out any  alteration,  as  they  now  are  : — if  nothing 
was  in  prospect,  it  would  still  be  advisable  to  keep 
the  whole  in  being :  let  it  rather  lie  dormant  until 
something  can  be  done,  but  let  it  not  be  prema- 
turely slain." 

'^  But  somethmg  can  be  done;  the  very  thing  for 
which  the  charter  was  obtained  is  now  within  the 
reach  of  the  Trustees.  Let  a  Divinity  Hall 
be  erected,  and  the  funds  at  Brunswick  be  imme- 
diately and  solely  appHed  to  the  support  of  as 
many  professors  in  theology,  as  shall  be  found 
necessary  and  practicable." 

*='  The  execution  of  this  plan  can  be  effected  inde- 
pendently of  any  union,  either  nominal  or  real,  with 
any  other  institution,  and  will  undoubtedly  operate 
best,  when  least  entangled  with  collateral  stipula- 
tions. But  if  any  fraternal  overtures  can  be  devised, 
which  will  extinguish  former  jealousies,  and  promote 
mutual  confidence  with  Princeton,  it  may  not  only  be 
very  desirable  in  the  first  instance,  but  may  even- 
tually produce  an  intercourse  and  affection,  which 
will  promote  the  common  interests  of  truth  and  reli- 
gion, and  finally  bring  the  Presbyterian  and  Dutch 


NJiVV-YORK*  J3S1 

Churches  much  nearer  to  each  other,  than  any 
forced  measures  and  unpopular  plans  can  possibly 
effect.  The  College  at  Brunswick  may,  per- 
haps safely  engage  with  that  at  Princeton,  to  drop 
the  whole  under-graduate  education,  and  give  no 
degrees  of  Bachelor  or  Master,  but  always  recom- 
mend the  students  from  their  Academy  to  Prince-' 
ton  : — The  Trustees  of  the  latter  may  engage  to  ap- 
point no  professor  in  theology,  but  to  acquiesce 
in  the  professorate  established  by  the  Trustees  in 
Brunswick,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Dutch  Churches,  and  to  recommend  their  stu- 
dents in  theology  always  to  Brunswick.  Both  may 
unite  to  promote  the  interests  of  both,  and  mutually 
endeavour  to  increase  the  funds  of  each  other  for 
the  respective  objects  they  pursue." 

These  extracts  are  sufficient  to  exhibit  the  drift 
of  this  communication. — In  a  letter  to  Dr.  T. 
Romeyn,  dated  January  21st,  1794,  he  says,  "You 
have  no  doubt  heard  that,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Trus- 
tees of  Brunswick  College,  the  overtures  present- 
ed by  a  committee,  respecting  an  union  with  Prince- 
ton, were  rescinded,  in  consequence  of  which,  the 
affairs  of  that  Institution  are  reverted  to,  or  rather 
continue  in,  their  former  state.  What  the  Trus- 
tees will  next  resolve,  I  do  not  know,  nor  do  I  be- 
lieve they  know  themselves.  I  have  understood 
from  some  of  them,  that  they  expect  the   Synox? 


332  i\EW-YOKK. 

will  give  them  advice,  or  make  some  proposals  to 
them  ;  but  I  have  seen  only  one  or  two  of  them: — 
what  the  sentiments  of  the  board,  or  the  majority 
of  them  are,  I  do  not  know.  Whether  they  will 
not  let  the  whole  lie  dormant,  and  nurse  their  fund 
until  some  future  day,  or  whether  they  will  still  try 
to  do  something  is,  I  beheve,  uncertain ;  and  by, 
what  I  can  learn,  no  particular  plan  is  as  yet  formed 
by  them." 

Such,  then,  was  the  termination  of  an  ajffair  which, 
at  the  time,  awakened  a  good  deal  of  feeling  in  the 
Church ;  and  it  is  not  improbable  that,  for  that  ter- 
mination, the  Church  is  much  indebted  to  the  sea- 
sonable and  cogent  remonstrance  of  the  Doctor, 
supported  and  enforced,  as  it  no  doubt  was,  by  the 
powerful  eloquence  of  Dr.  Linn. 

No  man  could  be  more  scrupulously  attentive 
than  the  Doctor  was,  to  all  the  important  duties  of 
private  life.  In  his  conduct  in  his  family,  he 
afforded,  at  all  times,  a  pattern  of  the  tender  chari- 
ties of  husband,  father,  master,  friend.  The  order, 
peace,  and  love,  always  visible  in  his  house,  and  the 
affectionate  respect  with  which  every  member  of  it 
uniformly  treated  him,  could  scarcely  fail  to  con- 
vince any  guest  who  partook  of  his  hospitaUty,  of 
the  habitual  piety  and  gentleness  of  his  deport- 


NEW-YORK. 


333 


ment.  And,  indeed,  it  would  be  easy  to  furnish 
from  some  of  his  letters  to  his  friends,  written  about 
this  time,  were  it  necessary,  pleasing  and  satisfac- 
tory evidence  that  he  was  amiable  in  every  domes- 
tic relation. — In  almost  every  one,  the  kind  concern 
which  he  felt  for  his  family  is  apparent ;  but  in 
those  particularly,  penned  when  either  Mrs.  Living- 
ston, or  his  son,  were  considered  seriously  indis- 
posed, it  is  plain  that  both  the  mother  and  the 
child  were  the  objects  of  an  unceasing  and  most 
tender  soHcitude,  and  yet  that  the  strength  of  natural 
affection,  and  the  influence  of  Christian  principle, 
were  at  once  in  his  heart,  in  harmonious  operation. 

The  city  of  New- York  had  been,  for  several  years, 
blessed  with  the  ministrations  of  a  number  of  pious, 
orthodox,  excellent  servants  of  Christ,  who  were 
remarkable  as  well  for  their  reverend  simpUcity 
and  dignity  of  manners,  as  for  their  zeal  and  faith- 
fulness in  the  work  of  their  Master. 

One  of  these  ministerial  fathers,  the  Rev.  Doc- 
tor John  Mason  *  of   the    Associate  Reformed 

*  This  eminent  divine  was  a  native  of  Scotland  :  settled  in 
New- York  in  1761,  and  died  in  1792.  He  has  been  represen- 
ted to  the  writer,  by  those  who  knew  him  well,and  often  attended 
his  Church,  to  have  been  a  person  of  extraordinary  judgment,  ex- 
tensive learning,  fervent  piety,  and  singular  modesty.    It  has  been 


334  NEW-TORK. 

Church,  had  lately  died,  aDd  those  now  remainiiig 
were  Doctor  Rodgers*  of  the  Presbyterian ;  Doc- 
said  that  when  he  preached,  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  some  object 
before  him,  and  rarely  moved  them  till  he  closed  his  discourse. 

The  late  Dr.  Linn,  in  his  Signs  of  the  Times,  thus  speaks  of 
him  in  a  note : — 

"  I  shall  be  excused  here  in  paying  a  small  tribute  of  respect 
to  the  memory  of  a  man  who  was  my  neighbour  and  my  friend  ; 
whom  I  knew  too  late ;  and  of  whose  value  I  was  hardly  sensi- 
ble until  I  experienced  his  loss.  He  had  prudence  without  cun- 
ning, cheerfulness  without  levity,  dignity  without  pride,  friendship 
without  ceremony,  charity  without  undue  latitude,  and  religion 
without  ostentation.  The  congregation  which  he  served  have 
erected  a  handsome  monument  to  his  memory ;  but  the  most 
honourable  monument,  is  the  place  he  holds  in  their  hearts,  and 
the  lasting  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him." — Page  143. 

*  The  Memoir  of  the  late  Bev.  John  Rodgers^ 
D.  D.,  from  the  able  pen  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  in  an  octavo 
volume  of  about  400  pages,  is  well  known  to  the  Christian  pub- 
lic ;  and  it  presents  a  faithful  portrait  of  its  venerable  subject 
More  cannot  be  said  of  him,  than  is  so  well  and  justly  said  by  his 
respected  biographer  ;  and  the  writer,  therefore,  will  only  observe 
here,  as  a  small  proof  of  his  own  affectionate  and  grateful  re- 
membrance of  one  who  was  to  him  both  a  friend  and  a  father, 
that  he  was  truly  a  man  Jull  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
greatly  beloved,  and  eminently  useful  in  the  Church  of  Christ', 
through  a  long  and  active  life.  There  never  was,  perhaps,  a  mi- 
nister in  New- York,  and  rarely  in  any  other  place,  more  conspicu- 
ous for  all  that  can  constitute  sterling  excellence,  or  who  possess^ 


NEW- YORK.  335 

tor  Kunzie*  of  the  Lutheran  ;  and  Doctor  Living- 
ston of  the  Reformed  Dutch,  Church.  With  the 
first  in  his  hfe  time,  and  with  the  other  two  until 
their  decease,  Doctor  L  cultivated  a  cordial  and 
unreserved  intimacy.     He    esteemed  and  loved 

ed  a  larger  share  of  the  confidence,  love,  and  veneration  of  the 
Christian  community.    His  praise  is  still  in  all  the  Churches. 

*  The  Rev.  John  Christopher  Kunzie,  D.  D.  was  a  native 
of  the  village  of  Artern,  in  Saxony,  and  born  in  1744. — After 
spending  seven  years  at  the  University  of  Leipzig,  he  came  over 
to  America,  in  1770,  and  took  charge  of  a  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion in  Philadelphia.  He  was  chosen  in  1780,  a  professor  of  the 
University,  and  a  member  of  the  Philosophical  Society  in  that 
city.  In  1784,  shortly  after  the  war,  he  settled  in  New-York. 
He  was  a  divme  of  profound  erudition,  and  esteemed  one  of  the 
best  Hebrecians  of  the  day.  For  several  years,  he  was  professor 
of  Oriental  languages  in  Columbia  College.  His  piety  was  un- 
doubted, and  his  ministerial  labours  were  highly  acceptable  to  the 
large  and  respectable  Lutheran  congregation  in  this  city, 
which  he  served  until  his  death. — Between  him  and  Dr.  L.,  a  sin- 
cere and  warm  friendship  was  long  maintained,  and  whenever 
they  met,  they  embraced  each  other,  a  mode  of  salutation  which, 
it  is  believed,  is  common  between  males  as  well  as  females,  in  the 
continental  parts  of  Europe.  Both  Dr.  L.  and  Dr.  R.  visited 
this  excellent  man  in  his  last  sickness.  The  first  gentleman,  at 
one  of  his  visits,  put  a  question,  to  which  the  answer  was  returned, 
"  the  Saviour  is  precious  to  me  ;"  and  the  second  was  much 
gratified,  when  he  called  one  day,  to  hear  him  express  his  vieWs 
of  divine  truth,  which  were  fully  evangelical.  He  died  July, 
1«07. 


336  NEW-YORK. 

them  all  as  his  brethren  in  Christ ;  and  there  never 
were,  perhaps,  four  ministers  residing  in  the  same 
city,  each  belonging  to  a  different  denomination  of 
Christians,  who  afforded  in  their  fraternal  and  pious 
intercourse,  a  happier  exhibition  of  the  influence  of 
that  heavenly  charity,  which  accompanies  the  exer- 
cise of  a  genuine  faith  and  hope. 

The  Doctor,  as  has  been  already  more  than 
once  intimated,  was  naturally  a  sociable  person  ; 
and  a  large  circle  of  other  than  ministerial  friends, 
at  this  time,  claimed  and  received  his  friendly  atten- 
tions.— And  it  ought  to  be  remarked,  that  he  sel- 
dom paid  a  visit,  whether  of  a  pastoral  or  merely 
of  a  social  kind,  but  he  endeavoured  to  render  his 
conversation  profitable  to  all  around  him,  or  to  inter- 
mingle with  it  some  pious  and  weighty  observa- 
tions, in  a  manner  so  impressive,  that  they  could  not 
be  soon  forgotten.  Indeed,  the  narrative  of  this 
part  of  his  life  would  be  very  deficient,  if  it  did  not 
notice  the  pains  he  took,  particularly  with  youths 
whether  of  his  own  church  or  not,  at  every  suit- 
able opportunity,  to  make  some  salutary  and  lasting 
impression  upon  their  minds  ;  and  in  doing  this,  few 
men  could  be  more  successful. 

A  letter  to  him  from  the  late  celebrated 
Lindley  Murray,  and  another  from  his  brother 
John,  both,  when  living,  distinguished  members  of 


NEW-YORK.  337 

the  Society  of  Friends,  relating  to  intervieivs  with 
hinif  which  it  is  supposed  occurred  sooti  after  the 
war,  are  worthy  of  being  here  inserted.  They  are 
honourable  memorials  of  departed  excellence,  and 
they  will  serve  to  show  how  the  Doctor  usually 
employed  a  portion  of  the  time  which  was  given  to 
company. 

The  letter  of  Lindley  Murray  is  in  these  words  : 
"  I  beg  that  Dr.  Livingston  will  do  me  the  favour 
to  accept  a  copy  of  the  new  edition  of  my  English 
Grammar,  as  a  small  mark  of  the  high  esteem  and 
regard  which  I  have  long  entertained  for  him.  I 
still  remember,  with  grateful  emotion,  the  short  in- 
terview which  I  had  with  Dr.  Livingston,  about 
twenty  years  ago.  The  affectionate  inquiries 
which  he  then  made  respecting  my  health,  bis 
Christian  temper  and  deportment,  and  the  unfeigned 
piety  of  his  remark,  "  that  as  all  our  blessings  come 
from  the  Fountain  of  Goodness,  they  ought  to  be 
received  with  correspondent  gratitude,"  left  a  most 
pleasing  and  consolatory  impression,  which,  I  be- 
lieve, will  never  be  effaced  from  my  recollection." 

"  Since  that  period,  it  has  pleased  Divine  Provi- 
dence to  visit  me  with  a  very  gentle  affliction,  if  it 
can  be  called  an  affliction  at  aU,  when  so  many 

blessings  are  continued :  I  have  not  been  able  fo 

43 


^536  NEW-YORK. 

walk,  or  to  use  any  exercise,  except  that  of  riding 
in  a  carriage.  I  am,  however,  comforted  in  believ- 
ing that  my  life,  in  this  confinement,  has  not  been 
entirely  useless.  I  have  composed  a  number  of 
little  volumes  for  the  benefit  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion ;  and  the  success  which  has  attended  these 
publications,  affords  me  much  comfort,  and  abun- 
dant cause  of  thankfulness,  to  the  great  Preserver 
of  my  life. 

"I  am, with  great  respect  and  affection, 
"  Dr.  Livingston's  very  sincere  friend, 

"  LINDLEY  MURRAY. 

"  Holdgate,  near  York^  ) 
Great-Britain,  1805."  \ 

His  brother's  letter  is  of  a  later  date,  and  it 
concludes  as  follows :  "Almost  as  long  as  I  have  any 
clear  recollection  of  occurrences  in  my  juvenile 
days,  I  remember  my  friend.  Doctor  Livingston. 
Even  the  simple  circumstance  of  his  putting  his 
hands  occasionally  on  my  head,  in  a  pleasant  man- 
ner, when  we  used  to  meet  at  our  old  neighbour 
Kipp's,  at  Kipp's  Bay  : — Since  which  I  have  enter- 
tained a  regard  for  thee,  and  may  now  say,  I  renew- 
edly  feel  my  mind  impressed  with  a  solicitude  for 
fhy  welfare  in  time,  and  for  thy  happiness  in  futii- 


NEW-YORK. 


3S0 


i-ity. — May  thy  setting  sun  go  down  with  increas- 
ed brightness,  is  the  smcere  desire  of, 

*'  Thy  well-wishing  friend, 

"JOHN  MURRAY,  Jun.'* 

These  expressions  of  respect  have  been  ti*an- 
scribed,  to  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  what  was  the 
Doctor's  usual  way  of  improving  time  in  private 
intercourse  with  his  friends,  and  of  his  peculiar 
faculty  to  conciliate  the  esteem  of  young  persons, 
and  to  rivet  in  their  minds  instructive  or  pointed 
apothegms. 

Men  engaged  in  public  life  frequently  complain 
of  indisposition,  but  while  they  appear  to  be  tole- 
rably well,  or  continue  to  discharge  their  duties, 
their  complaints  are  but  little  heeded  by^any,  or 
excite  but  Uttle  sympathy.  The  effect  wliich  those 
anxieties,  produced  by  certain  domestic  circum- 
stances, or  by  their  official  responsibilities,  or  as  is 
sometimes  the  case,  by  both  together — not  to  men- 
tion their  labours, — can  have  upon  the  best  human 
constitution,  is  not  considered.  Their  anxieties 
and  their  labours  are  scarcely  thought  of — and  that 
is  laughed  at,  as  a  mere  imaginary  or  vaporish  affec- 
tion, which  is,  in  fact,  a  real  indisposition,  and  with- 
out due  care,  may  terminate  in  some  dangerous 
disease. — The  Doctor  rarely  knew  what  it  was  to 


^40  NEW-YORK. 

be  in  perfect  health,  or  entirely  free  from  ailment : 
the  pressure  of  his  numerous  cares  and  employ- 
ments, of  a  public  and  private  nature,  he  often  felt 
very  sensibly  to  be  too  great  for  his  strength  :  he 
was  at  times  much  debilitated,  and  afflicted  with  a 
pain  in  his  breast ;  but  the  Lord  enabled  him  to 
hold  on  his  work,  and  he  was  seldom  so  very  unwell 
as  to  be  compelled  to  intermit  his  regular  service 
in  the  pulpit. 

About  the  close  of  1792,  his  labours  were  consi- 
derably augmented,  in  consequence  of  the  serious 
indisposition  of  his  colleague.  Dr.  Linn,  who  was 
threatened  with  pulmonic  disease,  and  obliged, 
therefore,  for  a  season,  to  desist  from  preaching. 
In  a  letter  to  Dr.  R — ,  of  January,  1793,  he  thus 
noticed  the  occurrence :  *'  May  the  Lord  Jesus  be- 
come more  precious  to  your  soul,  and  you  rejoice 
in  a  full  assurance  of  his  love  !  With  respect  to 
myself,  I  bless  his  holy  name,  I  am  strengthened  in 
weakness,  and  enabled  to  hold  on,  with  a  desire  to 
be  found  faithful  until  death.  I  am  sorry  to  inform 
you,  that  my  dear  colleague,  Linn,  has  some  very 
unfavourable  symptoms,  which  have  greatly  alarmed 
us.  About  four  weeks  ago,  he  began  to  spit  some 
blood  mixed  with  his  saliva.  This  is  considered  by 
his  physicians  as  an  intimation  of  an  approaching 
cotisumption,  and  requires  great  attention  and  care. 


NEW-YORK.  341 

He  has  not  preached  since  the  first  appearance  of 
that  symptom ;  and  it  is  to  be  feared  he  will  not 
preach  in  some  length  of  time.  What  the  conse- 
quence will  be,  cannot  be  foreseen,  but  it  is  conjec- 
tured his  future  health  and  labours  are  very  preca- 
rious." 

In  another,  dated  May  4th,  1793,  to  the  same,  he 
observed — **  I  have  had  very  steady,  and  consider- 
able heavy  service,  the  whole  winter  and  spring. — 
Dr.  Linn  expects  to  preach  to-morrow  morning,  for 
the  first  time,  since  the  beginning  of  last  December." 
In  another  of  May  11th  :  "  My  labours,  the  winter 
and  spring  past,  have  been  increased  and  uniform, 
without  any  intermission.  Last  Lord's-day,  Dr.  Limi 
preached  for  the  first  time.  His  health  appears 
to  be  restored,  and  I  hope  there  is  a  prospect  of 
his  doing  well,  without  any  danger  of  relapses." — 
And  again,  in  one  written  the  following  August : 
"  I  greatly  sympathize  with  the  destitute  congrega- 
tions, and  trust  the  Lord  will  send  labourers  in  his 
harvest  soon,  to  supply  our  numerous  vacancies. 
There  are  five  or  six  now  with  me,  who  are  diligent 
in  their  studies,  and  of  whom  we  may  hope  much 
good.  I  most  sincerely  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to 
do  greater  justice  to  them  ;  but,  while  incumbered 
with  the  full  weight  oi  the  par ochialia,  it  is  utterly 


342  NEW-YORK. 

impossible.*  Perhaps  it  may  please  the  Lord  to  di- 
rect, in  his  good  providence,  and  in  his  own  time? 
what  shall  answer  our  desire." 

It  was  impossible  for  him,  in  present  circum- 
stances, to  give  that  attention  to  professoral  duties, 
which  his  own  sense  of  their  intrinsic  importance, 
and  a  due  regard  to  the  improvement  of  the  young 
gentlemen  under  his  care,  prompted  him  to  ren- 
der :  and  the  General  Synod,  at  length,  became 
convinced  that  it  was  necessary  to  adopt  some 
measures,  that  would  place  their  professor  in  a  situ- 
ation to  be  more  devoted  to  the  appropriate  busi- 
ness of  his  office.  Accordingly,  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Synod,  held  in  Albany,  June,  1794,  the  subject 
of  the  Professorate  was  taken  into  serious  consi- 
deration, and  a  committee,  of  which  Dr.  T.  Romeyn 
was  chairman,  was  appointed,  "  to  consult  and 
report  upon  the  same."  The  report  submitted  was 
adopted  by  the  Synod,  and  shall  be  presented  here 
without  abridgement.     It  was  as  follows  : 

"  1.  That  it  is  high  time  to  bring  this  important 
matter  to  a  conclusion.     Ten  years  have  elapsed 

*  His  other  colleague  (Dr.  Kuypers)  at  this  time  preache«5 
only  in  the  Dutch  language. 


NEW- YORK.  34S 

since  the  professor  was  appointed,  and  no  effective 
arrangements  have  yet  been  made  to  enable  him  to 
fulfil  the  duties  of  his  appointment.  The  place 
where  the  Divinity-Hall  is  to  be  opened ;  the  sa- 
lary to  be  allowed  the  professor ;  and  some  pro- 
ductive measures  to  ensure  a  sufficient  fund,  ought, 
without  further  delay,  to  be  now  determined." 

'*  2.  That  to  establish  an  union  of  the  professorate 
with  Queen's  College,  which  has  hitherto  been 
judged  practicable  and  advisable,  it  is  the  opinion 
of  the  Committee,  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  re- 
move the  College  from  its  present  situation,  and 
bring  it  to  some  place  more  accessible,  and  nearer 
to  the  great  body  of  the  churches,  which  lie  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  State  of  New- York  :  your 
Committee,  therefore,  recommend,  that  it  should  be 
fixed  at  the  town  of  Bergen,  or  at  such  other  place, 
still  farther  to  the  North,  in  the  State  of  New- Jer- 
sey, as  may  be  agreed  upon  between  the  Trustees 
of  the  College  and  the  General  Synod." 

"  3.  That  to  effect  this  removal  of  the  College,  a 
Committee  be  appointed  on  the  part  of  this  Ge- 
neral Synod,  to  confer  with  the  Trustees  of  the 
College,  and  endeavour  to  persuade  them  to  relin- 
quish the  present  place  in  which  the  College  is  fixed, 


344  NEW-YORK. 

and  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  General  Synod,  in 
a  location  that  will  be  more  commodious  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Churches." 

"  4.  That  as  the  overtures  made  to  the  Trustees 
of  the  College  may  prove  unsuccessful,  the  General 
Synod  ought  now  to  determine  that,  in  such  case, 
the  place  where  the  Divinity-Hall  must  be  opened, 
without  being  connected  with  any  college  whatever, 
shall  be  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  New  York ; 
where  the  students  may  find  aU  the  benefits  of 
cheapness  and  retirement,  peculiar  to  a  village,  and 
yet  be  sufficiently  near  to  the  metropolis  to  derive 
all  the  advantages,  arising  from  a  free  and  easy 
intercourse  with  the  literary  and  public  characters, 
which  abound  in  a  city." 

"  5.  That  your  Committee,  after  mature  considera- 
tion, are  of  opinion,  that  the  town  of  Flatbush,  up- 
on Long  Island,  is  a  proper  place  where  the  Di- 
vinity-Hall may  be  opened ;  and,  therefore,  recom- 
mend the  same  to  Synod  for  that  purpose.  A  flou- 
rishing Academy  is  there  established,  which  will 
afford  an  opportunity  for  the  students  in  theoJogy  to 
revise  their  other  studies,  and  advance  in  collateral 
branches  of  education  ;  and  Flatbush  comprises  all 
the  advantages  resulting  from  a  village  situated 
near  a  city." 


NEW-YORK.  345 

"6.  That  in  the  present  situation  of  the  professor- 
ate, while  the  Synod  is  destitute  of  funds  to  render 
their  appointment  independent,  and  while  the  pro- 
fessor remains  in  any  measure  connected  with  the 
congregation  at  New- York,  means  should  be  used  to 
prevail  upon  that  Consistory  and  congregation,  to 
consent  to  a  dispensation  of  a  part  of  the  parochial 
duties  of  the  professor,  and  to  obtain  from  them,  for 
the  benefit  of  all  the  churches,  that  he  shall  be  held 
to  preach  only  once  on  every  Lord's-day,  and  at- 
tend the  consistorial  meetings,  when  necessary  and 
convenient ;  but  that  the  remainder  of  his  time  and 
labour,  which  may  be  four  days  in  every  week, 
shall  be  by  him  devoted  to  the  immediate  business 
of  his  appointment,  as  professor  in  theology." 

"  7.  That  for  this  purpose,  a  committee  be  also  ap- 
pointed, to  confer  with  the  professor  and  the  Con- 
sistory of  the  Church  at  New- York,  and  to  make 
such  arrangements  with  the  said  Consistory,  in  re- 
lation to  the  salary  of  the  professor,  as  shall  be  ho- 
nourable and  equitable." 

"  8.  That  upon  settling  what  may  be  necessary 
with  the  congregation  of  New- York,  the  professor 
be  requested  to  embrace  the  first  prudent  mea- 
sures of  retirement  to  any  place  contiguous  to  the 

44 


346  NEW-YORK. 

said  city,  which  he  may  judge  most  convenient  and 
eligible,  for  prosecuting  the  important  purposes  of 
the  professorate,  as  long  as  he  remains  connected 
with  the  ministerial  duties  in  the  city ;  and  that  the 
Synod  engage  to  give  him  all  their  support  and  coun- 
tenance ;  while  they  strenuously,  in  the  mean  time, 
exertthemselvesto  obtain  the  means  for  fixing  himin 
a  proper  and  independent  manner,  at  the  place  de- 
termined on  as  the  most  suitable  for  a  Divinity-Hall." 

"9.  That  the  General  Synod  do  immediately* 
and  without  delay,  take  the  most  effectual  mea- 
sures for  raising  a  fund,  to  render  their  professorate 
independent  of  any  particular  or  individual  congre- 
gation ;  and  for  that  purpose,  the  committee  recom- 
mend, that  the  former  resolution  respecting  collec- 
tions to  be  made  in  all  the  Churches,  and  which 
was  revived  in  the  last  particular  Synod,  be  now 
adopted  and  made  to  originate,  with  renewed  vi- 
gour, from  this  General  Synod  ;  with  this  variation 
only,  that  instead  of  constituting  the  Consistory  of 
New-York  the  keepers  of  the  fund  to  be  raised, 
there  be  three  persons  joined  with  Mr.  Peter 
Wilson,  who  shall  be  Trustees  for  that  purpose, 
until  some  other  measures  be  adopted  by  the  Gene- 
ral Synod,  for  rendering  the  agency  in  that  busi- 
ness more  safe  and  easy." 


NEW^YOKK-  347 

"  10.  That  as  it  is  the  object  and  wish  of  the 
Synod,  to  obtain  the  assistance  of  more  than  one 
professor,  as  soon  as  the  Churches  shall  put  it  in 
the  power  of  Synod  to  maintain  more,  so  the  com- 
mittee recommend,  that  this  be  held  up  to  the 
public  view,  as  an  inducement  to  increase  the  funds, 
and  render  them  productive  for  supporting  not  only 
one,  but  a  sufficient  number,  if  possible,  to  consti- 
tute a  faculty  of  theology." 

"  1 1.  As  it  appears  from  a  representation  made  to 
this  General  Synod,  by  a  committee  from  the 
Trustees  of  Queen's  College,  that  no  union  of  that 
institution  with  the  Trustees  of  Princeton  College, 
has  taken  place,  or  will  probably  be  ever  again  at- 
tempted, the  committee  recommend,  that  the  act 
of  the  last  particular  Synod,  prohibiting  the  pay- 
ment of  certain  moneys  collected  conditionally, 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Synod,  in  favour  of  the 
College  of  Brunswick,  be  no  longer  in  force  ;  but 
that  the  persons  holding  any  such  moneys  thus 
collected,  do  forthwith  remit  the  same  to  the  Trus- 
tees of  Queen's  College,  or  pay  them  to  their  order." 

In  pursuance  of  the  request  contained  in  this  im- 
portant document,  the  Doctor,  as  soon  as  he  could 
eonveniently,  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
a  removal.  The  Consistorv  of  the  Church  conseiat- 


^48  NEW-YORK. 

ed  to  what  the  Synod  had  proposed,  with  the  un- 
derstanding, that  he  should  receive,  while  he  ren- 
dered them  but  half  the  usual  service,  but  half  the 
usual  salary,  which  was  certainly  a  reasonable 
stipulation ;  and,  to  supply  the  lack  of  service 
that  would  be  caused  by  his  removal,  in  the 
autumn  of  1795,  they  called  the  Rev.  Mr.  Abeel, 
of  Philadelphia,  to  become  one  of  their  pastors. 
The  following  spring,  he  left  the  city,  to  occupy 
a  place  which  he  had  purchased  at  Bedford,  a 
little  village  on  Long  Island,  about  two  miles  from 
Brooklyn ;  and  here,  when  fixed  in  his  new  resi- 
dence, he  opened  his  Divinity-Hall  with  very- 
cheering  prospects.  . 

But  it  must  be  obvious  that,  in  complying  with 
the  wishes  of  the  Synod,  he  not  only  sustained  a 
considerable  pecuniary  loss,  as  he  relinquished  a 
moiety  of  his  regular  stipend  from  the  Church,  and 
numerous  perquisites,  which,  as  its  senior  minister, 
he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  receiving,  but  also  sub- 
jected himself  to  no  little  inconvenience,  and,  in  a 
measure,  exposed  his  health  and  hfe.  There  were,  at 
that  time,  no  steam-boats  moving  upon  our  waters ; 
and  the  passage  between  Long  Island  and  New- 
York,  in  the  boats  then  in  use,  was  seldom  an  agree- 
able, and  oft  times,  especially  in  the  winter  season, 
was  a  very  dangerous  one  ;  but  he  must  be  ever} 
Sabbath,  at  least  once,  in  his  pulpit ;  and  other  du- 


NEW- YORK.  349 

ties  would  make  it  necessary  for  him  frequently  to 
visit  the  city.  In  this  view,  and  taking  into  consider- 
ation the  fact,  that  he  had  nothing  to  expect  from  the 
Synod  but  their  approbation — that  they  could  nei- 
ther make  nor  promise  him  any  other  remunera- 
tion, it  must  be  confessed,  that  he  now  made  sacri- 
fices, and  evinced  a  disinterestedness,  a  submissive 
temper,  and  a  regard  for  the  good  of  the  Church  at 
large,  which  justly  entitled  him  to  respect  and  gra- 
titude. 

The  great  motive  to  a  removal  was,  the  hope  of 
being  in  this  situation,  more  useful  as  professor, 
than  he  had  ever  been  before  : — and  for  a  while,  the 
hope  was  partially  realized.  Well  known  as  a  sound 
and  learned  divine — having  the  requisite  leisure  for 
the  due  performance  of  his  duty — and  the  expense 
of  boarding  in  the  country  being  much  less  than  in 
the  city,  the  number  of  students  immediately  in- 
creased, and  he  was  encouraged  to  believe,  that  the 
plan  which  had  been  adopted  for  establishing  a 
theological  school,  would  be  crowned  with  complete 
success ;  but  his  expectations,  however  warrant- 
able, as  founded  upon  the  late  act  of  the  Synod,  in 
which  that  body  had  displayed  a  commendable 
earnestness  and  zeal  in  behalf  of  the  professorate, 
and  also,  upon  the  favourable  commencement  of  the 
enterprise,  were  soon  and  suddenly  disappointed. 


350  NEW-YORK. 

The  promise  of  their  support  and  countenance, 
which  had  been  given  by  the  Synod,  was  not  fulfill- 
ed, or  rather  was  hastily,  in  effect,  retracted ;  and  it 
was  not  long,  as  the  reader  will  see  presently, 
after  all  he  had  done  and  encountered  himself,  to 
promote  the  execution  of  their  plan,  before  he  was 
compelled  to  abandon  it  and  to  return  to  the  city* 

It  is  not  material  that  the  manner,  in  which  the 
Doctor  conducted  his  little  seminary,  should  be 
here  particularly  related.  It  wUl  suffice  to  observe, 
that  he  ably  and  satisfactorily  discharged  his  whole 
duty.  He  taught  theology,  systematically,  in  a 
course  of  lectures,  in  which  the  doctrines  of  the 
Reformation  unadulterated,  were  fully  discussed  and 
maintained  ;  and  he  possessed  the  faculty  of  im- 
parting his  own  sound,  clear,  comprehensive  views 
of  divine  truth,  so  as  to  carry  conviction  to  the  un- 
derstanding, and  to  make  a  deep  impression  upon 
the  heart.  The  method  he  adopted  to  qualify  his 
pupils  for  the  important  office  they  had  in  view, 
was  highly  approved,  and  his  deportment  towards 
them  was  uniformly  pleasant,  affectionate,  and 
paternal.     They  revered  and  loved  him. 

The  following  extracts  from  two  letters  to  liis 
friend.  Dr.  R.,  will  show  what  were  his  present 
sentiments  and  feelings  upon  the  subject  of  the 
interesting  institution.    The  first  is  dated  October 


NEW- YORK.  351 

I3th,  1796: — "I  wished  much  to  have  consulted 
with  you  upon  the  important  subject  of  the  profes- 
sorate, which,  notwithstanding  all  the  repeated 
efforts  in  its  favour,  and  the  prudent  and  decisive 
resolutions  of  the  last  General  Synod,  remains 
wholly  neglected  and  abandoned.  I  have  complied 
with  the  wishes  of  the  Synod,  in  removing  from  the 
city,  and  rehnquishing  a  part  of  my  parochial  duties, 
for  the  express  purpose  of  having  it  more  in  my 
power  to  do  justice  to  the  young  gentlemen. 
Since  I  have  retired,  I  find  more  leisure  for  that 
work,  and  am  happy  to  know,  that  the  students  find 
greater  advantages,  than  it  was  possible  for  them 
while  I  remained  in  the  city.  But,  amidst  all  my 
exertions,  and  the  sacrifices  which  I  have  made  to 
bring  it  thus  far,  it  is  still  impossible  the  institution 
can  ever  answer  the  expectations  of  the  Churches, 
unless  it  is  patronised  and  countenanced  by  the 
public.  Public  bodies,  who  feel  an  interest  in  its 
prosperity,  must  turn  their  attention  to  it,  and  sup- 
port it  with  their  influence  and  smiles,  or  it  will  at 
farthest  soon  die  with  the  individual." 

"  Upon  taking  a  candid  review  of  all  the  embar- 
rassments with  which  tliis  institution  has  struggled, 
and  the  neglect  that  hasattended  it,Ihave  been  oblig- 
ed to  conclude,  that  whatever  might  have  been 
the  serious  determination  of  those  of  1771,  who  form 
ed  the  union,  or  of  1784,  who  instituted  the  office,  it 


35^  NEW-YORK. 

appears,  that  it  is  not  the  present  intention  of  the 
most  of  our  churches,  to  have  it  brought  to  a 
proper  issue  : — that  as  long  as  I  continue,  by  my 
private  efforts,  to  supply  the  pubUc  wants,  nothing 
decisive  will  be  done : — and  that,  if  it  remains  dor- 
mant much  long^er,  it  will  sleep  the  sleep  of  deatht 
and  all  our  resolutions,  our  promises  to  the  churches 
in  Holland,  and  our  serious  and  solemn  engage- 
ments to  our  own  churches  here,  will  end  in  dis- 
appointment." 

"  Under  these  impressions,  I  conceived  it  my 
duty  to  present  to  the  Synod,  a  plain  statement  of 
facts,  to  assure  them  that  I  was  willing  to  proceed 
and  devote  the  remains  of  my  short  life  to  this  im- 
portant work,  but  that  I  wished  for  their  advice  to 
know  what  would  be  the  most  proper  and  effectual 
measures  to  bring  the  whole  to  a  decided  issue. 
To  this,  the  Synod  have  requested  me  to  proceed, 
in  my  labours  with  the  students,  as  heretofore  ;  and 
have  determined  that  it  was  incumbent  upon  them  to 
carry  into  effect  the  resolutions  of  the  General  Sy- 
nod, and,  for  that  purpose,  have  concluded  to  send 
circular  letters  to  all  the  congregations.  What  the 
result  will  be,  cannot  be  foreseen ;  but  it  is  certain,  if 
our  churches  entertain  a  just  sense  of  the  necessity  of 
the  institution ; — if  they  reflect,  that  it  is  impossible 
to  be  supplied  with  orthodox  and  acceptable  minis- 


NEW-YORK.  353 

ters,  unless  some  establishment  is  formed  for  their 
education ;  if  they  do  not  choose  to  be  beholden  to 
other  denominations  for  the  instruction  of  their 
candidates ; — if  they  wish  to  adhere  to  their  own 
discipline,  and  maintain  their  reputation  and  useful- 
ness ;  and  if  they  consider  it  ungenerous  for  a  nu- 
merous, wealthy,  and  great  community  to  suffer  any 
individual  member  to  bear  the  whole  weight  alone, 
and  that  it  will  be  impossible  long  to  sustain  the  dis- 
couragements which  arise  from  public  neglect ; — 
it  will  be  easy  for  them  to  unite  their  influence 
and  friendly  attention,  and  bring  forward  a  fund 
that  shall  suffice  to  render  the  Institution  indepen- 
dent and  respectable." 

"  For  my  own  part,  as  it  regards  myself,  I  think  I 
have  sufficiently  proved  my  disinterestedness.  I 
have  been  silent,  passive,  and  contented ;  and  I 
am  thus  far  contented  still ;  but  I  am  convinced,  if 
ever  the  Institution  is  to  be  brought  forward,  and 
rendered  extensively  useful,  when  you  and  I  are 
gathered  to  our  fathers, — if  our  children  and  their 
posterity  are  to  reap  the  benefits  of  it,  something 
decisive  and  spirited  must  now  be  effected." 

The  second  is  dated  Bedford,  April  28th,  1797 : 
"  If  the  issue  of  the  business,  respecting  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  General  Synod,  be  the  same  in  all  the 

45 


^54  NEW-YORK. 

Classes,  with  what  you  mention  to  have  been  in 
your's  of  January  last,  we  may  readily  anticipate 
that  nothing  will,  in  this  way,  be  done ;  and,  per- 
haps, it  is  become  altogether  impracticable,  in  the 
present  state  of  the  pubhc  mind,  to  raise  a  fund  at 
all.  The  want  of  zeal  in  promoting  a  cause  so  in- 
teresting and  influential  to  the  welfare,  and  even  ex- 
istence, of  our  reformed  Churches,  is  greatly  to  be 
lamented,  and  may  constitute  a  neglect,  for  which, 
as  a  people,  we  shall  be  severely  responsible.  He 
who  walketh  in  the  midst  of  the  golden  candlesticks, 
and  holdeth  the  stars  in  his  right  hand,  will  know 
and  judge,  with  unerring  precision,  respecting  mo- 
tives, excuses,  and  conduct." 

"  Solemn  and  repeated  resolutions,  formed  upon 
mature  deliberation  and  clear  conviction,  have  cer- 
tainly produced  obligations  too  strong  and  binding 
to  be  now  lightly  abandoned.  Notwithstanding  de- 
lays and  frequent  discouragements,  we  are  still 
bound  by  every  principle  sacred  to  conscience  and 
character,  to  make  the  most  decisive  trials,  and  not 
despair  of  the  divine  blessing  and  concurrence 
upon  earnest  and  faithful  efforts.  *  *  *  If  the 
plan,  in  one  form,  will  not  at  present  prevail,  is  it 
not  possible  to  devise  another  mode,  in  which  it 
may,  for  some  time  at  least,  prove  successful  ? — 
if  it  be  impracticable  to  raise  a  whole  fund,  whose 


NEW-YORK.  36^ 

interest  would  suffice,  may  it  not  be  easy  to  ob- 
tain, annually,  from  all  the  churches,  what  would 
amount,  at  least,  to  as  much  as  that  interest  ?  This, 
if  punctually  executed,  would  serve  as  a  temporary 
expedient,  and  leave  the  fund  where  it  now  is,  in 
the  possession  of  the  people." 

"  I  have,  for  some  years,  considered  an  alternative 
as  very  practicable  and,  perhaps ;  proper,  but  from 
a  determination  of  remaining  as  long  as  possible^ 
passive  and  silent  in  all  that  relates  to  this  busi- 
ness, I  do  not  remember  that  I  have  ever  commu- 
nicated it  to  you.  Whether  it  would  be  found  as 
easy  in  its  operation,  and  sufficiently  productive  as 
it  appears  in  theory,  or  whether  some  consequen- 
ces would  not  arise  from  it,  which  would  prove  in- 
jurious to  the  very  object  in  view,  I  do  not  know. 
It  is  simply  this — that,  instead  of  collecting  a  sum- 
which  shall  amount  to  a  capital,  as  at  present  con- 
templated, we  only  determine  to  raise,  every  year, 
a  small  dividend  from  each  congregation,  which  can 
be  effected  without  any  particular  effort  on  the  part 
of  the  people,  and  may,  if  properly  appropriated,  in 
some  measure  answer  the  purpose  of  the  Synod." 

"  Upon  contemplating  this  alternative,  I  think  1 
find,  instead  of  insuperable  objections,  something 
which  may,  in  its  consequences,  even  prove  benefi- 


356  NEW-YORK. 

cial.  It  is,  indeed,  leaving  the  institution  precari- 
ous ;  but  it  renders  it  immediately  dependent  upon 
those  for  whose  use  it  is  intended,  and  may  prove 
a  proper  stimulus  to  industry  and  faithfulness.  At 
any  rate,  I  conceive  it  to  be  the  only  mode  that  is 
now  practicable,  and  less  calculated  to  cheapen  the 
institution  than  to  raise,  by  personal  applications,  a 
fund.  I  mention  it  without  reserve  now  to  you, 
that  you  may  digest  it,  and  make  such  improvements 
upon  it,  as  a  mature  consideration  may  suggest. 
May  the  Lord  direct  to  such  measures  as  shall 
preserve  the  engagements  of  Synod  inviolate,  and 
prevent  those  who  have  relied  upon  its  sacred 
honour,  and  risked  every  thing  upon  it,  from  being 
made  ashamed  !" 

Whatever  solicitude  or  zeal  particular  individuals 
may  have  manifested,  to  effect  a  redemption  of  the 
pledge  which  had  been  given  by  the  Synod  to  the 
professor,  and  there  no  doubt  were  a  few  who  exer- 
ted themselves  to  this  end  to  the  utmost  of  their 
abihty,  it  is  certain,  that  a  very  culpable  indiffer- 
ence with  respect  to  it,  pervaded  the  Church  as  a 
body.  Nothing  of  any  consequence  was  done ; 
and  when  but  little  more  than  a  year  had  elapsed 
since  his  removal  to  Bedford,  at  the  request  of  the 
Synod,  the  Doctor  found  himself  placed  very  un- 
expectedly, by  another  act  of  Synod,  in  a  situation 


NEW-YORK.  357 

at  once  mortitying  and  embarrassing  in  no  small 
degree. 

The  General  Synod  met  again  in  June,  1797 ; 
and  the  following  is  a  copy  of  the  record  of  part  of 
their  proceedings  : 

"  The  General  Synod  having"minutely  inquired 
into  the  measures  pursued  time  after  time,  in  order 
to  raise  a  fund  for  the  support  of  the  professorate, 
and  the  success  of  those  measures,  the  following 
question  was  taken  :  Is  it  expedient,  under  present 
circumstances,  to  take  any  further  measures  for  the 
support  of  the  professorate  ? — which  was  answered 
in  the  negative." 

"  The  Genera]  Synod  then  appointed  a  commit- 
tee on  this  business,  who  brought  in  a  report,  which, 
after  being  amended,  was  agreed  to,  and  reads  as 
follows,  viz." 

"  The  committee  appointed  on  the  professorate, 
report :  that  Professor  Livingston  ought  to  be  im- 
mediately informed  of  the  determination  of  Synod, 
that  it  is  not  expedient  under  present  circumstances, 
to  take  any  further  measures  for  the, support  of  the 
professorate  ;  that  they  express  to  him  the  sense 
which  they  entertain  of  the  important  services 
which  he  has  already  performed ;  that  it  will  be 


'35!S  NEW-YORK. 

highly  acceptable  to  them,  if  he  can  still  contiutie 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  under  the  dis- 
couragements that  exist ;  and  that  a  minute  of  the 
determination  referred  to,  with  this  report,  be  trans- 
mitted to  him  for  the  purposes  above-mentioned." 

At  this  session,  the  Rev.  Dr.  T.  Romeyn,  and  the 
Rev.  Solomon  Froeligh,  were  appointed  additional 
professors  of  theology.  These  gentlemen  had 
been  authorized,  at  least  since  the  year  1794,  to 
act  as  assistant  teachers  of  theology,  probably  at 
first  for  the  accommodation  of  young  men  wha 
could  not  well  afford  the  expense  of  boarding  in 
New- York  ;  but  their  students  could  not  be  admit- 
ted to  an  examination  for  licensure,  without  having 
previously  obtained  the  certificate  of  the  regular 
professor,  and  to  supersede  the  necessity,  which 
had  been  often  attended  with  much  inconvenience, 
of  applying  for  such  certificates,  they  were  now 
duly  invested  with  the  professoral  office. 

This  measure  being  adopted  by  the  Synod, 
which  amounted  in  fact,  for  a  time,  to  a  complete 
desertion  of  the  seminary,  the  Doctor,  of  course, 
returned  to  the  city,  and  resumed  all  his  pastoral 
duties.  Such  young  men  as  wished  to  prosecute 
their  studies  under  his  direction,  were  still  cheer- 
fully and  faithfully  attended  to ;  but,  for  several  sue- 


NEW-YORK.  359 

ceeding  years,  he  was  chiefly  devoted  to  the  be- 
loved people  of  his  charge,  among  whom  his  la- 
bours continued  to  be  acceptable  and  useful. 

No  event  occurred  after  this,  worthy  of  particu- 
lar notice,  until  the  year  1804,  when  the  plan  of  the 
professorate  underwent  another  important  alter- 
ation. The  Doctor,  meanwhile,  as  a  lover  of 
peace,  quietly  acquiesced  in  the  arrangements 
which  the  Synod  had  thought  proper  to  make. — 
He  showed  no  resentment.  He  uttered  no  com- 
plaints ;  or  if  any  did  proceed  out  of  his  mouth,  it 
was  only  among  some  of  his  most  intimate  friends — 
and  that  any  did,  even  in  private  intercourse,  the 
writer  has  never  understood.  That  he  considered 
himself  slighted,  and  that  his  feelings  were  deeply 
wounded  by  what  the  Synod  had  done,  it  is  natural 
to  suppose  ;  but  whether  such  was  the  case  or  not, 
his  conduct  under  it  was  meek,  submissive,  dig- 
nified : — and,  indeed,  he  knew  his  brethren  too  well 
to  imagine,  for  a  moment,  that  they  had  not  honestly 
consulted  the  existing  state  of  the  Church,  in  pur- 
suing this  course,  without  intending  him  an  ill  re- 
quital, or  designing  to  convey  by  it  any  unfavour- 
able sentiment  with  respect  to  his  services. 

For  Dr.  Romeyn,  between  whom  and  himself  it 
might  have  been  surmised  there  would  be  now 


360  NEW-YORK. 

some  little  rivalry,  he  appears  to  have  cherished 
undiminished  affection :  and  pleasing  evidence 
of  the  fact  will  be  found  in  the  following  extracts 
from  two  letters  of  friendship  to  that  gentleman, 
and  from  one  to  the  son  of  the  same,  upon  the  oc- 
casion of  his  father's  death. 

In  one,  dated  New- York,  August  27th,  1802,  after 
adverting  to  the  late  indisposition  of  his  friend, 
he  thus  writes  : — "  In  every  period  of  life,   we 
are  exposed  to  strokes  that  may  weaken,  or  even 
destroy   our   feeble    frames.     At    the    stage    to 
which  you  and  I  are  arrived,  we  must  not  therefore 
be  surprised  or   discouraged  to  meet  with  what 
others,  at  a  much  earlier  hour,  have  had  to  struggle. 
I  am  confident  you  view  the  dispensation  as  you 
ought,  and  feel  that  resignation  whit^h  is  at  once  an 
evidence  of  divine  grace  in  the  soul,  and  a  sure 
source  of  contentment  and  peace.     To  look  unto 
Jesus,  to  renew  the  covenant  with  him,  and  to  know 
in  our  blessed  experience,  that  he  is  made  of  God 
unto  us,  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctifi- 
cation,   afford  substantial  comfort  in  the  severest 
trials,  and  increase  our  assurance  that  he  will  also 
to  us  become  redemption.     Such  views  and  efforts 
of  faith  produce  strength  equal  to  our  day,  and 
excite  at  times,  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory." 

"  He  whom  we  serve,  and  whose  we  are,  has  said, 


NEW-YORK.  31^ 

and  he  can  and  will  confirm  his  word,  that  all 
things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  who 
love  God ;  and  his  people  have  always  put  their 
seal  to  this  precious  promise,  and,  sooner  or  later, 
been  made  to  exclaim,  it  is  good  for  us  that  we 
have  been  afflicted.  It  must  be  so.  All  pains, 
sickness,  disappointments,  and  trials  of  every  kind, 
are  in  themselves  bitter,  and  no  chastening  for  the 
present  seemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  grievous  ;  never- 
theless afterward,  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of 
righteousness  to  them  which  are  exercised  there- 
by. Sanctified  afflictions  are  among  the  precious 
benefits  of  the  everlasting  covenant.  Through  all 
the  changing  scenes  and  various  ways  in  which  his 
saints  are  led,  however  intricate,  gloomy,  and  unex- 
pected they  may  prove,  he  has  pledged  his  truth 
that  he  will  guide  them  by  his  counsel,  support 
them  with  his  grace,  and  never  leave  nor  forsake 
them.  May  you,  my  dear  friend,  be  comforted 
with  these  consolations,  and  bear  constant  testi- 
mony to  the  faithfulness  and  fulness,  the  love  and 
power  of  our  adorable  Redeemer." 

"  You  and  I  are  nearly  of  the  same  age ;  I  am  in 
my  57th  year.  We  are  thus  literally  fellow-travel- 
lers, engaged  together  from  our  youth  in  one  and 
the  same  work.  It  affords  high  satisfaction  to  have 
cause  to  hope,  that  we  have  in  our  day  been  (tf 

46 


362  .VEW-YOBK. 

some  use  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  obtained 
grace  to  be  in  our  measure  faithful  to  the  trust  repos- 
ed in  us.  Happy  should  we  be  if,  in  the  retrospect, 
we  could  find  more  zeal,  purer  exertions,  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  greatest  and  best  of  Masters.  The 
Lord  strengthen  and  sanctify  us,  that  we  may  con- 
tinue faithful  and  useful  even  to  the  end  of  Ufe ; 
that  our  last  fruit  may  be  the  ripest;  and  our 
setting  sun  shine  bright  and  serene." 

"  What  the  spirit  of  infidelity  may  yet  produce ; 
with  what  opposition  the  disciples  of  the  Lord  Je- 
sus will  have  to  combat ;  and  what  may  be  particu- 
larly impending  over  that  part  of  the  Church  with 
which  we  are  more  immediately  connected,  are 
impossible  to  be  foreseen  ;  and  it  is  best  that  future 
events  should  thus  far  be  covered  with  an  impene- 
trable vail.  Enough,  however,  may  be  anticipated 
to  prompt  to  double  vigilance,  and  justify  us  in 
recommending  vigour  and  patience,  unanimity 
and  fortitude,  to  our  younger  brethren,  who  are  to 
remain  as  watchmen  when  we  are  gone,  and  are 
to  stand  where  we  stood  on  the  walls  of  Zion. — 
1  trust  God  will  preserve  these,  and  raise  up 
others,  who  shall  with  them  become  faithful  wit- 
nesses for  his  truth  and  cause,  and  that  He  will 
crown  their  labours  with  his  blessing.  At  times, 
Xhave  been  greatly  discouraged,  and  from  a  variety 


NEW-YORK  363 

of  concurring  circumstances,  have  feared  that  the 
blessing  we  once  expected  would  never  be  real- 
ized, and  that  the  day  for  effecting  any  thing  import- 
ant has  been  suffered  to  pass  unimproved  ;  but  I 
have  learned  to  dispel  anxious  fears,  and  patiently 
to  wait  and  humbly  hope  in  the  Lord.     In  his  own 
time,  in  his  own  way,  and  by  his  own  instruments, 
he  will  work  all  his  pleasure,  and  his  poor  people 
who  trust  in  him,  shall  never  be  made  ashamed. — 
In  this  confidence,  my  dear  Sir,  we  may  put  up  our 
prayers  in  faith,  and  rest  assured  that  if  we  do  not^ 
yet  our  successors  will,  see  the  goodness  of  God  to 
his  chosen,  and  rejoice  in  his  mercies  upon  Zion,'- 

"  Whenever  I  come  in  the  northern  quarter,  I 
promise  myself  the  pleasure  of  making  you  a  visit; 
but  I  have  no  expectation  of  being  able,  during 
the  present  season,  of  going  so  far  from  home.    le 
the  mean  while,  let  me  unite  with  all  your  other 
friends,  in  recommending  great  attention,  and  that 
you  do  not,  by  any  undue  exertion  of  mind  or  body, 
weaken  or  injure  what  yet  remains  of  health.     The 
Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him,  for  he  knoweth 
our  frame.     He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust. — 
Accept  of  my  wishes  and  prayers,  that  the  Lord 
may  strengthen  and  continue  you  still  a  blessing 
to  liis  church  ;  that  he  may  comfort  you  with  his 
presence,  and  give  you  great  peace  and  joy  in  be- 


^i^4  NEW-YORK. 

lieviiig ;  and  believe  me  to  be,  with  sincere  respect. 
"  Reverend  and  Dear  Sir, 
**  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  And  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 

'^Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn." 

The  other  being  short,  is  presented  entire. 

''Mw-York,  May  SI,  1803. 
"  Reverend  and  Dear  Sir, 

*'  Frequently  since  your  kind  and  very  accept- 
able letter  came  to  hand,  I  have  determined  to 
write  to  you.  But  whether  ordinary  duties  re- 
quire more  attention  than  heretofore  and  press  with 
greater  weight ;  or  whether  a  languor,  in  the  least 
exertion,  marks  our  advancing  years  ;  so  it  is,  that 
between  duties  and  languor,  I  neglect  what  was 
once  my  delight,  and  I  have  not  done  what  I  inten- 
ded to  perform  in  this  instance." 

"  I  wish  very  much  to  see  you,  and  hope  you  will 
find  yourself  able  to  be  present  with  us  at  the  ap- 
proaching session  of  the  General  Synod.  We 
reside  at  so  great  a  distance  apart,  that  unless  we 
meet  upon  such  occasions,  we  have  little  hope  of 
e"njoying  each  others  company.     The  subjects  you 


NEW-YORK.  365 

mentioned  in  your  friendly  letter,  are  very  import- 
ant. They  are  worthy  of  our  maturest  consi- 
deration and  joint  efforts  ;  and  I  shall  be  happy  to 
unite  with  you  in  promoting  the  peace  and  pros^ 
perity  of  our  precious  Zion." 

"  Endeavour,  my  dear  brothre,  to  meet  me  at 
Poughkeepsie.  Summon  up  the  energy  requisite 
to  undertake  the  journey.  The  exertion  may  be 
of  service  even  to  the  languid  body ;  and  it  will,  no 
doubt,  refresh  your  mind.  The  Lord  strengthen  and 
comfort  you,  preserve  you  on  the  way,  and  ren- 
der our  interview  pleasant  to  ourselves,  and  profit- 
able to  his  Church  !  Accept  of  my  sincere  love, 
and  be  assured  of  the  respect  and  esteem  with 
which  I  am, 

**  Reverend  Sir, 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  And  brother  in  the  Lord, 

«  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON, 

"  Rev,  Dr.  Romeyn." 

The  next  extract  is  from  his  letter  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  (afterwards  Doctor)  J.  B.  Romeyn,  upon 
learning  the  decease  of  this  gentleman's  father.* 


*  The  Rev.  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  was  one  of  the  brightest  oraa- 
ments  and  most  useful  ministers  of  the  Dutch  Church. — In  vigour 


^^t»  :new-york. 

"  J\*ew-York,  Jpril  26/^,  1804. 

"  Reverend  and  very  dear  Sir, 

"  Yesterday  evening  your  favour  came  to  hand, 
which  announced  the  departure  of  your  worthy  and 
venerable  parent,  whom  I  have  been  happy  to  call 

of  intellect,  learning,  piety,  and  zeal,  there  were  few  superior 
to  him — and  the  letters  of  Dr.  L.  to  him,  afford  a  strong  attesta- 
tion of  his  eminent  worth,  and  of  the  great  influence  which  he 
had  hi  her  several  assemblies.  Of  four  or  five — Dr.  Westerlo, 
Dr.  Hardenburg,  Dr.  Meyer,  Dr.  Romeyn,  and  Dr.  L.  whose 
heads,  and  hearts,  and  hands,  had  been  very  remarkably  united  in 
some  of  the  most  important  business  of  the  Church,  and  who  had 
laboured  with  equal  ^  zeal  and  perseverance  to  promote  hei  bes6 
interests,  the  latter  was  now  the  only  one  left. 

The  following  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Romeyn, 
is  given  in  a  volume  of  the  sermons  of  his  distinguished  son,  the 
late  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Romeyn,  of  New- York,  as  an  extract  from  the 
ftmeral  sermon,  preached  on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  by  his  col- 
league and  successor,  the  late  Rev.  John  H.  Mier.  (See  Vol.  1- 
page  194.) 

"  The  reverend  Dr.  Romeyn  possessed  a  mind  strong  and  ener- 
getic, and  more  than  ordinarily  comprehensive,  capable  of  view- 
ing things  in  their  natures,  their  connexions,  their  dependencies, 
and  ends.  His  apprehension  was  quick,  his  understanding  clear 
and  informed.  His  judgment  was  sound  and  mature,  and 
his  memory  remarkably  retentive.  In  the  application  of  these 
powers  of  mind,  he  was  chiefly  bent  upon  his  professional  studies. 
In  these  he  most  delighted,  and  laboured  most  of  all  to  excel. 
He  whs  versed  in  the  circles  of  general  science,  well  read  in  bis- 


my  friend  and  brother  in  the  ministry,  for  many 
years.  Nearly  of  the  same  age,  we  commenced 
our  labours  almost  at  the  same  time,  and  have  ob- 

tory,  and  had  made  no  mean  attainments  in  the  philosophy  of  the 
human  mind." 

"In  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  functions,  he  proved  him- 
self an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament,  a  watchman  that 
needed  not  be  ashamed.  As  he  had  loved  the  doctrines  of  grace, 
and  had  experienced  their  power  and  influence  on  his  own  heart, 
so  also  he  insisted  upon  them  in  his  public  ministrations.  His 
theme  uniformly  was  Christ  and  him  crucified.  His  manner  was 
bold,  intrepid,  and  daring.  In  the  execution  of  his  duties  he 
was  neither  daunted  nor  moved.  He  was  the  Boanerges  of  the 
day.  When  he  reproved,  the  sinner  trembled.  When  he  pro- 
nounced Ebal's  curses  against  the  wicked,  it  was  like  the  thunders 
of  Sinai.  He,  however,  was  not  incapable  of  the  pathetic.  He 
could,  at  times,  move  the  heart  and  melt  the  audience  into  tears. 
His  discourses  were  solid  and  interesting,  oft-times  enlivened  by 
historical  anecdotes.  In  the  introduction  of  these,  he  was  peculiarly 
happy.  He  always  entered  deep  into  his  subject.  His  delivery 
was  animated  and  unaffected,  without  ostentation,  and  becoming 
his  subject.  He  aimed  at  nothing  but  what  was  perfectly  natural." 

"  In  his  intercourse  with  the  world,  he  supported  a  becoming 
dignity.  Independence  of  sentiment  marked  his  path  through  its 
busy  rounds.  He  knew  not  how  to  dissemble.  He  was  polite 
to  all,  familiar  with  few.  This  rendered  the  circle  of  his  intimates 
contracted,  and  the  number  of  his  confidential  friends  small.  In 
his  conversation  he  was  interesting,  always  instructing.  His  fa- 
mily in  him  have  lost  an  affectionate  relative,  a  watchful  guar- 
dian, and  a  great  example  :  the  church  a  pillar,  and  society  an 
ornament." 


d68  NEW-YORK. 

tained  grace  to  continue  longer  in  the  service  of  our 
Blessed  Master  than  many  others.  I  went  to  see 
him  last  summer,  and  was  greatly  affected  to  find 
hiiii  so  much  debilitated,  and  from  the  usual  pro- 
gress of  paralytic  symptoms,  did  not  expect  he 
would  ever  recover  his  former  strength.  I  see 
from  the  account  you  give,  that  he  has  very  gra- 
dually decUned,  and  his  latter  end  has  been  peace. 
He  gently  fell  asleep^  committing  his  spirit  into  the 
hand  of  his  Divine  Redeemer.  Blessed  are  the 
dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.  Tliis  proves  a  source 
of  precious  consolation,  my  dear  young  friend,  to 
you,  while  it  suggests  a  powerful  argument  to  fol- 
low those,  who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit 
the  promise.  You  cannot,  indeed,  mourn  as  those 
who  have  no  hope.  Adoration  and  praise  unite 
with  grief  and  resignation  ;  and  even  this  event  is 
within  the  promise,  which  engages  that  all  things 
shall  work  together  for  good,  for  them  that  love 
God.  The  Lord  sanctify  this  new  trial,  this  seri- 
ous bereavement  to  you  !  Your  heavenly  Father 
still  lives  ;  your  precious  Jesus,  your  best  friend, 
has  engaged  to  guide  you  by  his  counsel,  and  after- 
wards receive  you  to  glory.  Let  this  be  your  con- 
solation. Let  this  encourage  you  to  live  by  faith, 
to  walk  with  God,  and  be  wholly  devoted  to  his 
service."    *    *    *    * 

"  Your  very  affectionate 

J.  H.  LIVINGSTON." 


NEW-YORK.  369 

It  was  said  that  the  plan  of  the  professorate  was 
again  altered.  The  General  Synod,  at  their  ses- 
sion in  this  year,  viewing  the  appointment  which 
had  been  made  of  two  additional  professors  in  1797, 
as  a  temporary  expedient  designed  to  meet  certain 
circumstances  which  then  existed,  passed  this  reso- 
lution— "  That  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  will 
unite  their  efforts  to  promote  the  establishment  of 
only  one  professor  in  theology,  and  will  employ  vi- 
gorous measures  to  raise  a  fund  for  the  same  ;  pro- 
vided, however,  that  the  professors  appointed  by 
the  General  Synod  of  1797,  continue  in  their  offices, 
and  enjoy  all  the  honours  and  emoluments  thereof, 
equally  with  one  professor  contemplated  to  be  es- 
tablished by  this  resolution,  during  their  natural 
lives,  or  as  long  as  they  behave  well,  and  are  capa- 
ble of  discharging  the  duties  of  their  offices.  But 
in  either,  or  in  any  of  these  cases,  which  would  va- 
cate their  offices,  no  successor  shall  be  appointed.'' 

Dr.  Livingston  was  now  duly  chosen  the  perma- 
nent professor,  *  whose  temporary  seat  should  be 
in  the  city  of  New- York,  "  subject,  however,  at  aU 
times,  to  the  government  of  Synod,  with  respect  to 


*  The  General  Synod  at  this  Session  appointed  two  profes- 
sors of  the  Hebrew  language — the  Rev.  John  Bassett,  and  th& 
Hev,  Jeremiah  Romeyn. 

47 


370  NEW-YORK. 

a  more  eligible  or  expedient  place  for  this  pur- 
pose," and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  devise 
ways  and  means  to  raise  a  fund  for  his  support. — 
This  act  of  Synod,  which  made  all  the  honourable 
amends  then  in  their  power,  for  any  real  or  sup- 
posed injury  he  had  sustained  under  the  other  act, 
though  it  produced  no  immediate  results  of  conse- 
quence, ultimately  led  to  a  separation  from  his 
pastoral  charge,  and  to  his  permanent  removal 
from  the  city. 

The  health  of  the  eloquent  and  eminent  Linnj 
had  now  become  so  enfeebled,  as  to  induce  him  to 
solicit  a  dissolution  of  his  connexion  with  the  con- 
gregation ;  and  this  event,  *  which  took  place  the 

*  Dr.  Linn,  when  he  found  his  health  was  sinking  fast,  wished 
to  retire,  and  wrote  his  venerable  colleague  the  following  note 
upon  the  subject,  dated  January  29,  1805. 

"  My  dear  Colleague, 

"  I  cannot  think  of  taking  a  measure  extremely  interesting 
to  me,  without  your  advice  and  assistance.  The  inclemency  of 
the  weather,  together  with  my  indisposition,  prevent  me  from 
waiting  upon  you.  I  have  not  been  out  of  the  house  for  more 
than  a  week ;  during  which  time,  my  health  and  spirits  have 
greatly  declined. 

"  I  am  now  fully  persuaded,  after  repeated  struggles,  that  I  am 
not  able  to  perform  the  duties  which  the  congregation  expect  from 


NEW- YORK.  371 

following  spring,  increased  of  course,  proportion- 
ably,  the  parochial  labours  of  the  Doctor.  In  some 
respects,  these  labours  were  lighter  probably  than 

me  ;  and  have  determined  to  propose  to  the  Consistory  to  retire 
upon  such  conditions,  as  shall  be  mutually  deemed  just  £ind  ho- 
nourable. I  mean  to  propose  none  in  the  first  instance  ;  but  to 
go  to  the  country,  having  no  pastoral  charge,  and  preaching  occa- 
sionally, never  relinquishing,  while  any  strength  remains,  the  sa- 
cred office  to  which  I  have  been  dedicated. 

"  You  will  easily  conceive  my  embarrassing  situation,  with  d 
young  and  numerous  family ;  and  will  feel  that  tenderness  which 
our  holy  religion  inspires,  especially  after  serving  together  for 
above  eighteen  years,  in  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  write 
with  pain.  I  have  delayed  this  business,  though  often  revolved 
in  my  mind.  Very  lately  has  my  determination  been  taken,  and 
this  is  the  reason  why  it  has  not  been  sooner  communicated  to 
you.  The  Consistory  meet  on  Thursday  next,  and  on  the  Thurs- 
day following.  If  any  thing  be  done,  it  cannot  be  delayed  on  ac- 
count of  necessary  arrangements.  To  the  will  of  God,  I  hope 
ever  to  be  resigned.  The  Divine  Master  who  has  employed  me, 
and  been  gracious  to  me,  will  provide  for  me.  May  you  enjoy 
much  of  his  comfortable  presence,  and  richly  share  in  the  bless- 
ings of  the  everlasting  covenant.     Pray  for  me. 

"  I  am,  my  dear  colleague,  with  the  highest  respect  and  aflec- 
tion,  your  friend  and  brother, 

"  WILLIAM  LINN." 

Dr.  Livingston  laid  the  proposition  of  his  friend  before  the 
Oonsistorv. 


372  NEW- YORK. 

those  of  his  two  younger  estimable  colleagues ;  but 
they  were,  nevertheless,  sufficiently  multiphed  and 
difficult  of  accomplishment  for  one  of  his   years 

The  Consistory  acted  upon  the  occasion  with  their  wonted 
liberality ;  and  as  soon  as  the  spring  opened,  Dr.  Linn  removed 
his  family  to  Albany,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Dr.  Linn  was  a  divine  of  great  celebrity.  His  preaching  was 
uniformly  judicious,  evangelical,  and  impressive  ;  but  upon  par- 
ticular occasions,  his  performances  were  master-pieces  of  the 
kind. — The  interest  he  took  in  the  party  politics  of  the  day,  some- 
what impaired  his  popularity  towards  the  close  of  his  ministry,  but 
he  still  had  many  warm  and  excellent  friends  in  the  congregation. 
—When  he  died,  the  late  Dr.  J.  B.  Romeyn,  then  a  minister  in 
Albany,  wrote  to  Dr.  Livingston,  to  inform  him  of  the  event,  and 
the  i-eceipt  of  his  letter  was  thus  acknowledged — 

"  New- York,  January  13th,  180S. 
"  Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 

"  This  moment  your  friendly  communication  is  handed  to 
me,  and  I  sit  down  immediately  to  thank  you  for  your  kind  atten- 
tion. The  near  connection  which  has  for  many  years  subsisted 
between  Dr.  Linn  and  myself,  and  the  sincere  love  I  cherished 
for  him,  from  the  first  day  of  our  acquaintance,  render  the  event 
you  have  announced  very  affecting.  Your  remarks  respecting 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  are  just  and  pious.  If  such  improvements 
apply  to  others  in  younger  life,  how  much  more  must  I  feel  their 
force  who  am  several  years  older  than  our  deceased  friend  ! 
When  your  worthy  father  departed,  I  felt  myself  deprived  of  the 
dear  companions  of  my  youth.  Now,  in  regard  to  them,  I  stand 
alone.  I  mark  the  signal,  hear  the  warning  voice,  and  look  unto 
Jesus." 


NEW-YORK.  37S 

and  constitutional  debility ;  and,  in  referring  to  liis 
services  at  this  period,  those  ought  at  least  to  be 
cursorily  noticed  which  were  extra-parochial,  for 
they  were  not  few  in  number.  He  was  frequently  in- 
vited to  preach,  and  when  disengaged  and  in  health, 
he  frequently  did  preach,  in  neighbouring  Dutch 
churches ,  and  upon  particular  occasions,  as  the  lay- 
ing of  the  corner-stone  of  anew  church,  orthe  opening 
of  a  new  church,  for  the  first  time,  for  public  wor- 
ship, it  was  in  a  manner  considered  his  prerogative 
to  officiate.  For  a  series  of  years,  when  either  the 
one  or  the  other  was  to  be  done  in  any  part  of  the 
city,  or  in  any  place  at  a  moderate  distance 
from  it,  he  was  requested,  in  deference  to 
his  prominence  and  seniority  in  the  ministry,  to 
perform  the  service.  And  it  may  be  questioned, 
whether  any  contemporary  clergyman  in  the 
United  States,  except  a  diocesan,  had  the  honour 
of  laying  more  corner  stones  of  churches,  or  of 
opening  a  greater  number  of  buildings  erected  for 
the  pubhc  worship  of  God,  than  Doctor  Living- 

"  This  is,  as  you  observe,  an  afflicting  providence  on  many  ac- 
counts, and  cannot  fail  of  being  especially  so  to  his  bereaved,  dis- 
tressed family. 

"  With  assurances  of  my  respect  and  love, 
"  Dear  Sir,  your  most  affectionate, 

"J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 
*'  Rev.  Mr.  Romevn." 


374  NEW-YORK. 

ston.  Within  the  period  embraced  in  this  chapter, 
it  is  believed,  that  he  discharged  one  or  both  of 
these  offices  in  Flatbush  and  Brooklyn,  Long- 
Island  ;  in  Belleville  and  *  *  *  *  *  *  New-Jersey ; 
in  Greenwich  and  Bloomingdale,  when  the  first 
churches  were  erected  in  these  places  ;  in  Garden- 
Street,  at  the  erection  of  the  new  building  upon  the 
site  of  the  old  one  ;  in  Franklin-Street  and  Broom- 
Street,  in  the  city  of  New- York.* 

The  Doctor  was  by  no  means  an  indifferent  ob- 
server of  the  events  in  the  world,  which,  at  that  day, 
attracted  the  notice  of  all  intelligent  Christians. — ^ 
He  saw  distinctly  the  commencement  of  a  new  and 
glorious  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  church ;  and 
he  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  benevolent  and  pious 
efforts  which  then  began  to  be  made  in  New- York, 
as  well  as  in  most  other  parts  of  Protestant  Chris- 
tendom, to  extend  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer. 


*  The  Doctor  being  the  sole  pastor  at  the  time,  without  doubt, 
opened  the  North  Church,  when  it  was  repaired  after  the  war. 
He  also  opened  the  Middle  Dutch  Church,  when  that  building  was 
put  in  a  state  to  be  used  for  public  worship,  and  the  sermon  he 
preached  upon  this  occasion,  was  afterwards  published.  After 
his  removal  from  New- York,  if  the  writer  has  been  correctly  in- 
formed, he  laid  the  corner  stone  of  a  new  Dutch  Church  in  a 
place  called  Spotswood,  near  New  Brunswick,  and  of  one  in  New 
Brunswick.  In  the  last  mentioned,  he  also  preached  the  intro- 
ductory sermon. 


NEW-YORK.  375 

Betore  the  New- York  Missionary  Society,  at 
annual  meetings,  he  preached  two  sermons,  which 
being  afterwards  published — one  of  them  in  a  se- 
cond edition — it  is  presumed  have  been  generally 
read,  and  must  be  acknowledged  to  exhibit  not  only 
sound  and  enlarged  views  upon  the  subjects  dis- 
cussed in  them,  but  also,  a  fervent  zeal  for  the  in- 
crease and  success  of  Missionary  operations.  The 
first  was  preached  April  the  23d,  1799,  on  Colos- 
sians  3  and  xi — "  Christ  is  all  and  in  all:"  the  second 
April  3d,  1804,  on  Rev.  14,  6—7.  "And  I  saw 
another  angel  fly  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  having  the 
everlasting  gospel  to  preach  unto  them  that  dwell 
on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and 
tongue,  and  people,  saying,  with  a  loud  voice,  Fear 
God,  and  give  glory  to  him ;  for  the  hour  of  his 
judgment  is  come,  and  worship  him  that  made  hea- 
ven and  earth,  and  the  sea,  and  the  fountains  of 
waters." 

In  1807,  the  Trustees  of  Queen's  College, 
having  resolved  to  revive  the  institution  under  their 
care,  made  a  communication  to  that  effect  to  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
and  soUcited  their  approbation  of  the  measure. 
The  Synod  cordially  approved  of  what  had  been 
done,  in  relation  to  the  same  communication,  by  the 
particular  Synod  of  New- York, — to  which  body  it 


376  NfiW-YORK. 

had  previously  been  made,  and  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  confer  with  the  Committee  of  the  Trustees 
who  were  then  present,  upon  the  subject. — The 
result  of  the  conference  was,  the  formation  of  a  co- 
venant between  the  Synod  and  the  Trustees,  for  the 
union  of  the  Professorate  with  the  College,  the 
fourth  and  fifth  articles  of  which  were  in  these 
words : 

"  The  Trustees  of  Queen's  College  shall  call  na 
professor  of  theology,  but  such  as  shall  be  nominated 
and  chosen  by  the  General  Synod,  agreeably  to 
the  resolutions  and  arrangements  formed  in  Ge* 
neral  Synod  in  1804,  respecting  the  permament  pro- 
fessorship, which  is  hereby  located  at  JVew-Bncns- 
ivickJ'^ 

"As  soon  as  the  Trustees  shall  have  obtained  a 
fund,  the  interest  of  which  will  yield  a  competent 
support  to  the  theological  professor,  of  which  com- 
petency, whenever  any  difficulties  or  doubts  may 
arise,  the  contracting  parties  shall  judge  and  deter- 
mine, the  Trustees  shall  be  bound,  without  delay, 
to  call  the  professor  appointed  by  the  Synod  ;  and 
the  Synod  shall,  and  hereb}'  do  request  their  pro- 
fessor, as  soon  as  he  shall  have  received  such  a  call, 
to  make  arrangements  forthwith  for  entering  upon 
the  duties  of  his  office." 


NEW-YORK.  377 

An  interesting  and  able  address  upon  the  subject 
of  the  theological  professorate  was  now  drawn  up, 
published,  and  widely  circulated  ;  and,  under  the 
divine  blessing,  it  excited  in  many  parts  of  the 
Church,  great  zeal  and  liberality  in  behalf  of  the 
important  object  contemplated.  In  the  city  of 
New- York  alone,  subscriptions  to  the  professoral 
fund,  to  the  amount  of  more  than  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars, were  obtained  in  a  few  days;  and  encouraged 
by  this  auspicious  beginning,  the  Trustees  forth- 
with made  a  call  upon  the  Doctor  to  the  professor- 
ship of  theology,  in  the  institution,  tendering  him 
therein,  as  the  yearly  compensation  for  his  services, 
the  sura  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  They 
also  made  a  call  upon  him  to  the  presidency  of  the 
College,  in  which  the  salary  offered  was  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars  per  annum. 

The  first  call  he  accepted ;  but  fearing  that  if  he 
immediately  removed,  the  efforts  of  the  Churches 
to  provide  an  adequate  fund  for  the  support  of  the 
professorate,  would  abate,  he  concluded  to  remain 
for  the  present  where  he  was. 

About  this  time,  he  experienced  an  increase  of 
infirmities,  which  was  quite  alarming.  His  mind  as 
well  as  his  body,  in  a  measure  failed  him,  and  he 
was  sensible  that  he  was  not  able  to  discharjre.  a^ 


378  AEW-YORK. 

he  formerly  had  done,  his  customary  ministerial 
duties.  The  decline  of  his  health  became,  indeed,  so 
visible,  that  the  Consistory  of  the  Church  consi- 
dered it  their  duty  to  excuse  him  from  a  part  of  his 
regular  ministrations  ;  and  they  accordingly  passed 
the  following  resolution,  a  copy  of  which  they 
directed  to  be  delivered  to  him  : 

«  In  Consistory,  20th  July,  1809. 
"  The  Consistory  taking  into  consideration  the 
long  and  faithful  services  of  the  Rev.  Doctor 
Livingston,  their  senior  minister ;  and  also  consi- 
dering his  age,  the  ill  state  of  his  health,  and  his 
consequent  inability  to  preach  more  than  once  on 
the  Sabbath  ; — therefore  resolved  unanimously, 
that  this  Consistory  are  willing  to  dispense  with  the 
afternoon  public  ser\'ices  of  the  Reverend  Doctor 
Livingston,  on  the  Sabbath,  and  that  he  preach 
every  Sabbath  morning  only,  unless  he  feels  able 
and  disposed  to  perform  more  service.  Ordered, 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kuypers,  the  President,  be  re- 
quested to  deliver  a  copy  of  this  resolution  to  the 
Rev.  Doctor  Livingston. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"ISAAC  L.  KIP,   Sec:' 

As  the  Doctor  w  as  now  exempted  from  a  portion 
of  his  usual  labours,   and  his  removal  to  New- 


NEW- YORK.  379 

Brunswick  was  expected  to  take  place  at  a  day, 
not  far  distant,  the  Consistory  deemed  it  expedient 
to  obtain  as  speedily  as  possible,  a  more  ample  sup- 
ply of  ministerial  service.  They  soon  after,  there- 
fore, invited  the  Rev.  John  Schureman,  of  Millstone, 
N.  J.,  and  the  Rev.  Jacob  Brodhead,  of  Rhine- 
beck,  N.  Y.,  to  come  and  serve  them  in  the  Gospel. 
These  gentlemen  accepted  their  calls,  and  were  in- 
stalled collegiate  pastors  with  Dr.  Livingston,  Dr. 
Kuypers,  and  Dr.  Abeel,  in  the  autumn  of  this 
year. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


FBOM  HIS  REMOVAL  TO  NEW-BRUNSWICK,  UNTIL 
HIS  DEATH  AND  BURIAL. 

"There is  something  singularly  affecting^''  says 
an  elegant  writer,*  speaking  of  Abraham's  depar- 
ture, at  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  from  his 
country  and  kindred,  and  father's  house,  to  go  un- 
to a  land  which  God  had  promised  to  show  him, — 
"  in  the  idea  of  an  old  man  giving  up  the  scenes  of 
his  youthful  days ;  scenes  endeared  to  the  mind  by 
the  fond  recollection  of  past  joys ;  foregoing  his 
kindred  and  friends ;  and  becoming  an  exile  and 
a  wanderer,  at  a  period  when  nature  seeks  repose, 
and  when  the  heart  cleaves  to  those  objects  to 
which  it  has  been  long  accustomed.  But  that  man 
goes  on  cheerfully,  who  knows  he  is  following  God  ; 
he  can  never  remove  far  from  home,  who  has  made 
the  Most  High  his  habitation ;  he  who  falls  asleep  in 
the  bosom  of  a  father,  knows  that  he  shall  awake 
in  perfect  peace  and  safety." 

This  passage  has  not  been  quoted,  with  a  view 
to  compare  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  to  the  ve- 

*Dr.  Hunter. 


XEW-BRUNSWICK.  381 

iierable  patriarch  of  old,  or  because  it  is  supposed 
that  the  removal  of  the  one,  in  its  attending  circum- 
stances, bears  much  of  a  resemblance  to  that  of  the 
other ;  but  simply  for  the  purpose  of  observing,  that 
the  affecting  impression^  which  such  a  removal  as  it 
describes  is  repress  nted  to  make  upon  the  mind  of 
a  reflecting  person,  must  be  in  a  degree  produced 
by  every  other  that  is  so  far  similar  as  to  combine 
the  two  circumtances  of  advanced  age,  and  pre- 
eminent piety,  or  that  takes  place  at  a  late  period 
of  Hfe,  from  a  desire  to  obey  what  is  believed  to  be 
the  divine  will,  and  to  promote  the  glory  of  God.. 
There  is,  indeed,  a  moral  grandeur  in  the  fact,  which 
cannot  fail  to  excite  mingled  emotions  of  admira- 
tion, veneration,  and  love,  in  all  who  witness  it,  of  a 
man  who  is  bending  under  the  weight  of  years,  and 
tottering  apparently  upon  the  verge  of  the  grave, 
bidding  farewell  to  objects  long  and  tenderly 
loved,  and  departing  to  a  new  place  of  residence, 
there  to  begin,  in  «  manner,  life  over  as:ain,  pure- 
ly out  of  a  sense  of  duty  to  the  Master  whom  he 
serves.  Such  a  fact  evinces  too  plainly,  to  admit 
of  their  being  questioned,  the  power  of  faith,  and  the 
love  of  Christ ;  and  the  individual  in  whom  grace 
has  this  ascendant,  constraining  influence,  must  be 
regarded  with  affectionate  respect,  as  an  eminent 
follower  of  Abraham,  and  all  them  who  through  faith 
and  patience  inherit  the  promises. 


S82  NEW-BKUNSWICK. 

Doctor  Livingston  had  almost  reached  three 
score  and  ten  years,  when  he  concluded  to  resign 
his  charge,  and  remove  to  New  Brunswick  : — and 
the  writer  has  often  remembered  a  remark,  which 
the  good  old  father  made  in  reference  to  his  expect- 
ed departure,  a  few  days  before  he  left  the  city  : 
"I  feel  it,  my  son,"  said  he,  "  to  be  a  species  of  mar- 
tyrdom."— The  representation  of  a  removal  to  a 
distance  of  fifty  miles,  into  a  polished,  intelligent, 
and  pious  society,  as  a  kind  of  martyrdom,  it  is  con- 
fessed, was  received  at  the  moment  as  savouring  of 
dotage  ;  but  upon  a  little  reflection,t;the  amount  of 
sacrifice  involved  in  a  separation  from  a  people, 
among  whom  he  had  lived  as  a  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel, in  great  esteem  and  usefulness,  for  about  forty 
years,  and  might  still  hve,  if  he  could  reconcile  it 
with  his  sense  of  duty  to  do  so,  loved  and  honoured 
to  the  last,  appeared  fully  to  justify  it.  And  the 
separation  beinjQj  sought  in  obedience  to  the  voice 
of  the  church,  and  solely  for  the  good  of  the  church, 
when  his  attachments  and  other  considerations  ren- 
dered a  continuance  in  his  present  situation  far  pre- 
ferable, showed  a  self-denial,  a  disinterestedness, 
and  a  piety,  which  it  was  impossible  not  to  admire. 

In  February,  1810,  the  Trustees  of  Queen's 
College,  having  obtained  more  subscriptions  to  the 
professoral  fund,  passed  a  resolution  to  increase 
the  sum  which  they  had  previously  offered,  by  the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  383 

addition  of  six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  making 
the  salary  now  tendered  him  as  professor,  fourteen 
hundred  dollars.  A  copy  of  this  resolution  was 
sent  to  him  without  delay,  accompanied  with  another 
call  to  the  presidency  of  the  College  ;  and  in 
March,  he  wrote  to  the  Trustees,  "that  notwith- 
standing the  interest  arising  from  the  principal  in 
their  hands,  was  not  yet  sufficient  to  produce  a  com- 
petent and  honourable  salary  ;  yet  the  importance 
of  the  institution,  and  the  necessity  of  organizing  it 
mthout  delay,  were  so  impressive,  that  he  would 
not  hesitate  to  comply  with  the  calls  of  the  church- 
es, being  fully  persuaded  that  when  he  made  such 
large  and  painful  sacrifices  for  the  pubHc,  he  would 
most  assuredly  not  be  neglected  or  forsaken  by 
them." 

Shortly  after,  he  communicated  to  the  Consistory 
of  the  Church,  in  a  letter,  the  reasons  which  had  in- 
duced his  determination  to  remove  ;  and  this  letter, 
leaving  out  a  brief  history  of  the  professorate,  up  to 
the  time  when  it  was  agreed  to  unite  the  same  with 
Queen's  College,  was  as  follows  :  "The  united 
voice  of  all  the  churches  fixed  the  professorship  at 
Brunswick,  with  a  request,  and  even  peremptory 
resolution,  that  their  professor  should  remove  to 
that  place,  as  soon  as  the  funds  to  be  raised  should 
prove  competent  to  his  support.     A  generous  zeal 


384  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

was  immediately  shown  by  many  individual  mem- 
bers of  the  churches,  in  subscribing  liberally  for  that 
purpose  ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  our  national  dis- 
tresses, which  at  that  critical  moment  rendered  it 
improper  to  proceed  with  the  subscriptions,  there 
is  no  doubt  a  sufficiency  would  have  been  soon  ob- 
tained. Two  years  have  elapsed,  and  the  object  is 
not  yet  accomplished.  It  is  acknowledged  that  the 
funds  collected  are  not  adequate  to  the  honourable 
support  of  the  professor,  that  they  do  not  correspond 
with  the  wishes  and  character  of  the  churches  ;  and 
are,  as  yet,  vastly  inferior  to  any  other  pubhc  esta- 
bUshment ;  but  it  is  suggested,  and  probably  with 
great  truth,  that  all  further  application  for  an  in- 
crease of  the  funds,  and  even  for  obtaining  a  great 
part  of  what  is  already  subscribed,  depend  upon 
the  immediate  removal  of  the  professor  to  Bruns- 
wick. After  waiting  so  long,  despondency  has  ari- 
sen, and  fears  are  indulged,  that  notwithstanding  all 
the  exertions  which  have  been  made,  the  whole  in- 
stitution, if  he  refuses,  will  at  last  fail,  or  be  again 
broken  into  separate  interests.  Hence  the  requests 
are  pressing,  the  demands  increase,  and  the  public 
voice  becomes  clamorous." 

"  The  professor  has  laboured  twenty-six  years 
without  any  compensation ;  and  he  may  now  be 
justified  in  the  expectation  of  having  his  situation 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  S85 

at  last  rendered  comfortable  and  equitable.  He  can- 
not therefore,  it  may  be  supposed,  reconcile  it  with 
prudence  or  justice  to  himself,  to  engage  in  new 
and  precarious  dependencies,  and  expose  himself 
to  losses  and  troubles,  which  the  public  have  no 
right  to  expect  or  demand  from  an  individual. 
But  these  remonstrances  must  yield  to  the  author- 
itative directions  of  Divine  Providence  j  and  correct 
views  of  the  important  crisis,  in  which  the  interests 
of  our  Churches  are  brought,  seem  to  suppress  all 
personal  considerations,  silence  all  minor  objections, 
and  imperiously  require  an  immediate  sacrifice.  I 
judged  it  proper  to  draw  these  outlines  of  our  his- 
tory, that  you  might  at  one  glance  have  the  whole 
subject  before  you." 

*'  And  now,  my  dear  brethren,  what  conclusion 
do  you  draw  ?  I  make  no  appeal  to  the  feehngs 
which  your  affections  dictate.  I  know  your  love; 
a  love  that  has  been  ripening,  without  any  interrup- 
tion, nearly  half  a  century  ;  a  love  which,  if  con- 
sulting its  own  claims,  would  never  consent  to  a 
separation  while  life  remains.  But  I  appeal  to 
your  judgments;  I  appeal  to  your  zeal  for  the 
highest  interests  of  Zion ;  to  your  attachment  to 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  our  land ;  and  to 
the  obligation  we  are  under  to  assist  in  promoting 

a  cause,  to  which  consequences  of  such  immense 

49 


;i2^6  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

magnitude  are  evidently  attached.  I  introduce 
this  appeal,  to  prepare  your  minds  for  the  commu- 
nication I  am  now  compelled  to  make." 

"  My  dear  brethren,  after  many  struggles  and 
great  reluctance,  I  am  at  length  conquered.  I  am 
persuaded  to  yield  to  the  direction  and  call  of  the 
Churches  represented  in  General  Synod,  who  has 
a  right  to  command  the  services  of  her  members 
and  officers  ;  and  I  believe,  therefore,  that  it  is  the 
will  of  our  Lord  and  Master,  who  speaks  by  his 
Church,  that  I  should  remove  to  New-Brunswick, 
and  there  devote  the  short  remnant  of  my  days  to 
the  direct  duties  and  objects  .of  the  theological 
professorship,  and  without  delay,  I  let  you  know 
the  result.  Letitnot  offend  any  zealous  believer  to 
hear  a  Christian  speak  of  struggles  and  reluctance, 
since  self-denial  and  cheerful  acquiescence  ought 
always  to  be  forward,  and  predominate.  It  is  so ; 
yet  the  infirmities  of  human  nature  claim  some  in- 
dulgence, as  far  as  they  ma3^  be  considered  to  be 
free  from  sin.  It  is  not  always  an  easy  task  to 
ascertain  the  will  of  the  Lord,  with  respect  to  pro- 
vidential events,  especially  when  a  train  of  difficul- 
ties has  long  continued  to  interrupt  the  accomplish- 
ment of  any  great  object.  The  immediate  welfare 
of  our  congregation  was  always  uppermost  upon 
my  heart,  and  I  could  never  feel  a  freedom  to 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  3S7 

leave  it,  while  my  presence  was  judged  necessary 
to  its  peace  and  prosperity.  But,  after  a  deliberate 
and  disinterested  view  of  existing  facts,  that  criti- 
cal state  appears  to  be  now  essentially  changed. 
Tile  Lord  has  blessed  us  with  sufficient  and  accept- 
able help  ;  and,  if  it  may  please  him  to  hear  the 
fervent  prayers  of  his  people,  we  may  indulge  the 
hope,  that  our  beloved  minister,  who  has  for  some 
time  been  much  indisposed,  may  again  have  his 
precious  health  restored,  and  be  able,  at  least,  in 
some  measure,  to  edify  the  Church  with  his  labours, 
his  counsel,  and  experience."* 

*  The  "beloved  minister"  to  whom  the  Doctor  referred,  was 
the  Rev.  Dr.  John  N.  Abeel,  who  vi^as  at  the  time,  as  but  too 
soon  after  became  evident  to  all  his  friends,  consumptively  dis- 
eased. He  lingered  about  two  years,  and  then  finished  his  earthly 
course. — Dr.  Abeel  was  a  native  of  the  city  of  New- York.  Ha- 
ving made  sufficient  progress  in  preparatory  studies,  at  a  schobl 
in  Morristown,  N.  J.  he  entered  Princeton  College ; — and  his 
course  in  this  institution  completed,  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law  in  New  Brunswick,  under  the  late  Judge  Patterson. — In  the 
office  of  this  gentleman  he  remained  about  a  year,  when,  being 
made  experimentally  acquainted  with  the  power  of  divine  grace, 
he  left  it,  and  put  himself  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Livingston,  to 
study  theology.  Shortly  after,  receiving  the  appointment  of  a 
tutor  of  Princeton  College,  he  repaired  thither,  and  while  engaged 
in  the  duties  of  this  station,  prosecuted  and  finished  his  prepara- 
tions for  the  ministry,  under  the  celebrated  Dr.  Witherspoon.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  Classis  of  New- York, 
in  the  month  of  April,  1793.     His  first  settlement  was  in  the 


'^88  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

When  to  this  state  of  things,  I  add  the  full  dis- 
covery that  my  advanced  years  have  rendered  it 
impossible  for  me  to  fulfil,  as  I  ought  and  wish,  any 
longer  the  duties  of  the  ministry,  the  objection, 
which  of  aU  others  has  always  been  the  highest,  and 
indeed  the  only  one,  is  quite  removed,  and  I  am 
compelled  to  conclude  that  it  has  now  become  my 
duty,  without  longer  delay,  cheerfully  and  thank- 
ftilly  to  apply  to  the  sole  and  immediate  labours  of 
the  professorate  ;  for  which,  considering  previous 
preparations,  and  long  habits,  I  may  humbly  hope, 
with  the  divine  aid,  a  competent  degree  of  vigour 
and  strength  may  yet  remain." 

To  this  communication,  the  Consistory  returned 

second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Philadelphia,  as  a  colleague  with 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Green  ;  but  in  the  fall  of  1795,  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  church  of  New-York,  and  removed  to  this  city,  where  he 
laboured  in  thft  Gospel,  until  the  commencement  of  the  disease 
which  terminated  in  his  death.  He  died  in  January,  1812,  in  the 
forty-third  year  of  his  age. — This  eminent  servant  of  Christ  was, 
indeed,  a  "  beloved  minister."  His  eloquence  in  the  pulpit,  mild, 
interesting,  and  ()ersuasive,  in  an  uncommon  degree  ;  his  amiable 
disposition  and  unassuming  manners  ;  his  affable  and  mstructive 
conversation ;  his  unaffected  piety ;  his  fervent  zeal,  greatly  endear- 
ed him  to  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  to  the  church  at  large. 
Many  precious  souls/eceived  the  grace  of  God  under  his  faithful 
preaching,  who  will  be  his  glory  and  his  joy  in  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ ; — and  his  great  and  successful  exertions  in 
behalf  of  the  theological  school,  ought  never  to  be  forgotten. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  389 

/ 

an  answer  by  the  hands  of  three  of  their  respected 
members,  expressive  of  the  affection  they  felt  for 
their  venerable  pastor,  and  of  their  regret  at  part- 
ing with  him.  The  reader  would,  no  doubt,  like 
to  see  the  whole  of  this  answer,  but  as  it  is  long,  the 
insertion  of  two  or  three  parts  will  be  sufficient  to 
show  what  were  their  sentiments  and  feelings  upon 
the  occasion. 

"  Reverend  and  very  dear  Father 
and  Brother  in  the  Lord  : 
"The  Consistory  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  in  this  city,  which  has  so  long  enjoyed  the 
blessing  of  your  ministry,  has,  with  deep  and  un- 
feigned regret,  received  the  tidings  of  your  inten- 
tion soon  to  transfer  your  labours  to  another  quar- 
ter of  the  Lord's  vineyard  ;  though  they  rejoice  to 
find  you  are  to  be  employed  during  the  remnant  of 
your  days,  in  the  honourable  and  necessary  duties 
of  the  theological  professorate." 

"  While  they  cannot  but  approve  the  measures 
taken  by  the  Reverend  Synod,  for  providing  an  effi- 
cient and  learned  ministry,  to  supply  the  wants  of  the 
churches  under  their  care ;  while  they  adore  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord,  in  thus  far  prospering  their 
endeavours ;  and  admire  the  disinterestedness  and 
steady  perseverance  displayed    throughout    the 


S90  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

whole  of  your  conduct  in  the  promotion  of  this  laud- 
able work,  they  cannot  be  unaffected  by  the  loss 
they  must  sustain  by  your  departure :  they  feel, — 
they  deeply  feel,  the  expected  separation ; — a  sepa- 
ration that  tears  asunder  the  finest,  the  tenderest 
cords  that  bind  the  heart." 

*'  Many,  Reverend  Sir,  still  look  up  to  you  as 
their  spiritual  father ;  and  all  revere  you,  as  under 
Christ,  their  solace  in  distress  and  in  difficulties ; 
their  support  in  the  hour  of  trial ;  and  the  endeared 
tie,  that  has  so  long  preserved  in  harmony  the  va- 
rious and  sometimes  conflicting  interests  and  pas- 
sions, that  necessarily  arise  in  an  extensive  congre- 
gation, composed  of  so  many  distinct  members  of 
different  ages,  characters,  and  circumstances,  and 
influenced  by  views  and  motives  often  irreconcile- 
able — sometimes  opposite." 

"  A  gracious  Lord  has  mercifully  continued  your 
labours  among  this  people  for  forty  years.  They 
have  been  blessed  in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and 
edification  of  the  saints.  .You  have  been  the  instru- 
ment of  peace,  and  the  healer  of  breaches  in  the 
church." 


"The  prospect  of  your  future  usefulness  to  the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  391 

Church  of  God,  in  an  employment  which  requires 
the  full  exercise  of  distinguished  and  matured 
talents,  without  great  exertions  of  bodily  powers, 
in  some  measure  satisfies  and  consoles  the  mind, 
though  it  contributes  Uttle  to  the  abatement  of  grief." 


"  We  commit  you,  and  your  amiable  consort,  to 
the  superintending  care  and  gracious  protection  of 
a  God,  infinite  in  mercy  and  love." 


"  With  sentiments  of  unfeigned  respect,  ardent 
affection,  and  unabated  zeal  for  your  happiness 
here  and  hereafter — 

"  We  subscribe  ourselves,  your  sincere  friends^ 
brothers  and  children  in  the  Lord. 

"  Signed  by  order,  and  on  behalf  of  Consistory, 
''JACOB  BRODUEAD,  Pres,  pro.  tern. 
''  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston. 
"  New-York,  25th  June,  1810." 

On  the  tenth  of  October  following,  the  Doctor 
removed  to  New-Brunswick  ;  and  his  arrival  there 
was  greeted  as  an  event  of  most  favourable  augury, 
ensuring  success  to  the  whole  plan  that  had  been 
formed  in  relation  to  the  college  and  the  professor- 


392  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

ate,  the  long  wished  for  union  between  which  was 
now  completed. — Soon  after  his  arrival,  he  wrote  a 
few  lines  to  his  friend,  Isaac  L.  Kip,  Esq.  of  ^lew- 
York,  which  begin  thus:  "  Many  cares  and  arrange- 
ments, inseparable  from  a  new  habitation,  have  en- 
grossed my  attention  since  I  came  to  this  place,  and 
prevented  me  from  dropping  a  line  to  you.  The 
new  part  of  my  dwelUng  is  yet  under  the  hands  of 
the  carpenters,  and  the  old  requires  much  altera- 
tion and  amendments,  to  render  it  comfortable  for 
the  approaching  winter.  But,  in  the  midst  of  all 
these,  I  am  kept  through  grace,  in  some  measure 
near  the  Lord,  and  hve  by  faith.  I  have  made  sa- 
crifices to  promote  his  cause,  and  he  hath  said,  he 
will  not  leave  nor  forsake  me.  Upon  his  word  of 
truth,  I  confidently  rely,  and  desire  to  feel  reconciled 
to  the  cross  of  Christ.  His  grace  will  be  sufficient, 
for  he  is  the  Lord  my  righteousness,  my  strength, 
my  help  and  shield.  Amidst  all  my  cares,  and  in 
the  multitude  of  my  thoughts,  I  still  remember  most ' 
affectionately,  the  whole  flock  and  my  faithftil 
friends.  My  prayers  are  for  them,  and  I  am  con- 
fident they  cannot  forget  to  remember  me  and  mine 
continually  before  the  throne." 

It  is  not  generally  known,  perhaps,  that  in  order 
to  provide  a  suitable  residence  for  his  family,  the 
Doctor  had  to  involve  liimself  in  a  debt,  which  for  a 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  393 

time  caused  him  considerable  disquietude,  but  such 
was  the  fact.  He  was  under  the  necessity  of  pur- 
chasing the  place  that  was  now  undergoing  repairs 
and  alterations,  to  put  it  in  a  comfortable  state ;  and, 
to  pay  for  it,  he  had  depended  upon  the  sale  of 
some  property  he  had  in  New- York.  More  than 
a  year  elapsed,  however,  before  he  could  effect  a 
satisfactory  sale  of  this  property,  and  meanwhile, 
his  situation,  on  account  of  his  debt  and  prospect  of 
support,  was  an  anxious  and  very  unpleasant  one, 
as  will  appear  by  an  extract  from  another  letter  to 
the  same  individual:  *'  I  said  the  sale  of  my  place 
would  be  considered  as  a  merciful  providence,  be- 
cause I  wish  much  to  dispose  of  that  property.  I 
wish  it,  because  I  have  made  a  purchase  here,  for 
the  discharge  of  which  I  depended  wholly  upon  the 
sale  of  my  place  there.  I  was  convinced,  and  I 
still  am,  that  it  was  my  duty  to  come  here.  Events, 
of  the  highest  magnitude  to  the  prosperity  of  our 
churches,  appeared  to  depend  upon  my  coming.  It 
was  high  time  for  me  to  decide  and  to  remove.  My 
refusal  or  dtlay  might  have  rendered  all  abortive. — 
I  found  there  was  no  habitation  for  me  to  be  obtain- 
ed here,  excepting  that  which  I  purchased.  I  knew 
also  the  public  funds  for  my  support,  after  I  was 
here,  were  not  yet  ascertained.  Notwithstanding 
all  this,  which  to  the  eye  of  prudence  was  forbid- 
ding, I  yet  ventured,  as  I  trust,  in  the  obedience 

50 


•394  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

of  faith,  and  risked  all  the  consequences  to  promote 
this  work  of  the  Lord.  You  will  easily  conceive 
now,  that  if  by  the  sale  of  my  place,  I  might  be 
able  to  discharge  the  burthen  that  has  accrued, 
and  especially,  if  something  might  remain  for  a 
support  upon  which  I  could  depend,  it  would  in- 
deed be  a  merciful  providence.  While  I  work  for 
the  churches,  I  am  willing  to  maintain  myself,  if  I 
can.  Zion  is  welcome  to  my  labours.  To  Zion 
and  to  Zion's  Lord,  I  cheerfully  consecrate  all  I  am 
and  have.  My  other  property  is  not  immediately 
productive  *  *  *.  In  this  situation,  while,  for  the 
trial  of  my  faith  and  hope  no  doubt,  it  pleases  the 
Lord  to  disappoint  me  hitherto  in  the  sale  of  my 
place,  which  is  my  only  present  resource,  you  can 
readily  conceive  that,  at  times,  I  feel  as  if  I  was  left 
alone."* 

Queen's  College  being  revived,  agreeably  to  the 
resolution  of  the  Trustees,  which  was  communi- 
cated to  the  Synod  inl807,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Condict,  as  its  vice-president — at  the 


*  In  two  years,  the  Doctor  did  not  receive  the  whole  amount 
of  salary  due  him  for  one  ;  $1200  being  all  that  the  funds  in 
band  had  produced  during  that  period  ;  so  that  his  fears  in  rela- 
tion to  a  support,  as  he  was  situated  the  first  year,  were  not  alto- 
gether groundless,  or  at  least  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  he 
felt  and  expressed  some  little  anxiety  on  that  account. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  395 

commencement  of  the  exercises  of  this  institution, 
in  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  Doctor  entered 
upon  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties,  as  presi- 
dent of  the  same,  and  as  professor  of  theology. 
But  it  ought  to  be  observed,  that  in  the  capacity  of 
president,  it  was  not  expected  he  would  render 
much  active  service  :  no  more  was  required  of 
him,  in  fact,  by  his  call  to  the  office,  than  that  he 
should  "  preside  at  commencements  and  authenti- 
cate diplomatic  documents,  and  take  a  general 
superintendence  of  the  institution,  as  far  as  his 
time  and  health  might  admit." — Giving  instruction 
in  theology  was  the  department  to  which  he  was 
chiefly  to  devote  himself :  this  belonged  exclusive- 
ly to  him,  and  he  engaged  in  it  with  all  his  heart. 

At  first,  he  had  only  five  students  to  attend  his 
lectures  ;  but  the  next  year,  the  number  increased 
to  nine,  and  in  1812,  when  he  made  his  first  official 
communication  to  General  Synods  the  committee 
who  reported  upon  the  subject  of  the  professorate, 
made  the  following  statement.  "  Since  the  removal 
of  the  professor,  he  has  opened  the  theological 
school,  and  the  number  af  students  has  so  increased, 
as  to  affi)rd  a  hopeful  prospectthat  this  institution  mil 
be  of  extensive  and  permanent  usefulness  to  the 
C  hur ch."  This  statement  is  introduced  by  a  reflec- 
tion or  two,  expressed  in  these  words :  *'  When  your 


396  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

committee  reflect  on  the  zeal  of  the  professor,  thus 
to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  Churches, — his 
leaving  a  people  endeared  to  him  by  a  useful  mi- 
nistry of  forty  years — removing  from  a  place,  where 
numerous  connexions  had  been  formed,  and  an  am- 
ple support  was  secured ;  when  they  reflect  on  his 
entering  on  a  new  and  arduous  scene,  at  such  sacri- 
fices, in  his  advanced  period  of  life  ;  the  committee 
hesitate  not  to  express  the  high  and  grateful  sense 
they  entertain  of  the  conduct  of  the  professor,  and 
feel  confident  their  sentiments  are  in  unison  with 
those  of  the  Churches  generally." 

The  Doctor,  impressed  with  the  propriety  of  re- 
ligious exercises  at  funerals,  and  wishing  to  pro- 
mote their  prevalence  in  the  Church,  had  prepar- 
ed with  some  care,  and  published  a  work  upon  the 
subject,  entitled  "  A  Funeral  Service ;  or.  Medita- 
tions adapted  to  Funeral  Addresses." — This  little 
manual,  which  the  venerable  author  had  compiled 
altogether  from  the  oracles  of  God,  and  judiciously 
arranged,  was  now  respectfully  noticed  by  the 
General  Synod ;  and  among  other  things,  to  regulate 
the  practice  of  ministers  at  burials,  it  was  resolved, 
"  That  as  a  funeral  service  has  lately  been  prepared 
and  published  by  Professor  Livingston,  which  com- 
prehends all  the  general  subjects  proper  to  be  in- 
troduced at  funerals,  and  is  a  treasure  of  excellent 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  397 

meditations,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  because 
entirely  selected  from  the  sacred  Scriptures  ;  there- 
fore, the  General  Synod  recommend  the  same  to 
all  the  ministers  belonging  to  their  jurisdiction,  to 
be  used  by  them  agreeably  to  the  mode  therein 
suggested." 

When  the  obsequies  of  the  dead  are  solemnized, 
an  opportunity  is  offered  to  speak  a  word  which, 
to  some  precious  souls  may,  under  the  divine  bless- 
ing, be  a  word  in  season  ;  and  the  writer,  though 
he  is  no  advocate  for  a  regular  sermon  upon  every 
such  occasion,  begs  leave  to  express  his  own  con- 
viction that  the  opportunity  ought  not,  except  for 
a  good  reason,  to  be  allowed  to  pass  without  some 
attempt  to  improve  it,  for  the  benefit  of  mourners 
and  others  present.  Much  good,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  may  follow  a  brief  address  or  short  prayer^ 
delivered  either  at  the  house  of  mourning,  or  at  the 
grave ;  and  for  such  exercises,  this  work  of  the 
Doctor,  supposing  it  be  not  used  in  the  manner  re- 
commended, contains  an  assemblage  of  appropri- 
ate Scripture  sentences,  which  it  will  be  found  pro- 
fitable to  consult. 

The  Synod,  at  this  session,  committed  to  him 
the  performance  of  a  task  of  great  importance  and 
responsibility.  In  the  opinion  of  many  pious  and 
intelhgent  persons,  the  Book  of  Psalms  and  Hymn? 


398  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

then  in  use  in  the  Dutch  Church,  needed  revision 
and  enlargement ;  and  the  subject  having  been  re- 
ferred to  the  Synod,  they  requested  the  professor 
to  endeavour  to  make  a  selection,  that  would  give 
general  satisfaction,  and  appointed  a  committee  to 
inspect  the  same,  when  it  should  be  completed. 
He  cheerfully  yielded  to  the  request,  and  soon 
after  prepared  a  selection,  which  received  the  ap- 
probation of  the  Committee  and  the  next  Synod, 
and  proved  highly  acceptable  to  the  Churches. 

The  execution  of  this  task  cost  him  much 
labour  :  he  took  pains  to  render  it  as  correct  and 
perfect  as  possible  ;  and  the  resolution  of  the 
S}nod,  which  declared  their  sense  of  the  service 
he  had  done,  was  a  merited,  and,  no  doubt,  a  grati- 
fying return.  "  Resolved,  that  for  the  abiUty  dis- 
played in  the  revision  of  Psalms  and.  Hymns,  in  use 
in  our  Churches,  and  for  the  labour  and  diligence 
with  which  that  business  has  been  finally  accom- 
plished. Professor  Livingston  is  entitled  to  the 
gratitude  and  aflfectionate  remembrance  of  the 
members  of  the  Dutch  Church,  and  all  the  friends 
of  Zion ;  and  that  this  Synod  entertain,  and  will 
continue  to  entertain,  a  high  sense  of  the  faithful 
and  affectionate  labours  of  their  aged  brother,  for 
the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  our  Church  ; 
and  that  they  will  ever  pray  that  when  he  shall  be 


JfEW-BRUNSWICK.  399 

gathered  with  his  fathers,  he  may  join  in  the  song 
of  Moses  and  the  Lamb." 


In  compliance  with  the  wish  of  the  Synod,  he 
superintended  the  first  edition  of  the  work  ;  and 
the  following  letter  to  his  friend  in  New-York,  wUl 
show  the  solicitude  he  felt  to  please  m  the  dis- 
charge of  this  obUgation  : 

"  JVew-Brunswick,  JVov,  13/A,  1813. 

<*  My  dear  Sir, 

"  The  Commercial  Advertiser  has  rectified 
his  error,  agreeably  to  your  appUcation  ;  and  I 
thank  you  for  your  kind  attention  to  my  request, 
without  which  it  would  not  have  been  effected. 
Our  fi-iend,  George,  has  been  with  me  ;  and  the 
whole  arrangement  is  settled  to  his  entire  satisfac- 
tion. I  hope  it  will  prove  beneficial  to  him,  and  I 
am  confident  he  will  make  a  correct  edition.  I  am 
only  afraid  the  printers  will  not  employ  as  fine  a 
paper  as  I  wish.  Paper  is  very  dear,  and  is  an 
article  that  enters  deeply  in  their  calculations ; 
but  much  of  the  respectability  and  beauty  of  the 
first  edition,  which  ought  to  recommend  itself  to 
the  public,  not  only  by  its  intrinsic  value,  but  its 
external  neatness  and  splendour,  will  depend  upon 
the  paper  on  which  it  is  printed.  Mr.  F —  has  not 
showed  me  the  paper  he  means  to  use,  but  has 


400  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

promised  that  it  shall  be  very  white  and  good,  and 
I  depend  upon  his  promise. 

"  I  am  happy  that  the  plan  I  recommended  to 
the  Synod,  to  assess  each  book  at  6  cents  was  adopt- 
ed ;  it  is  the  surest  and  most  productive  to  answer 
the  benevolent  purpose,  to  obtain  which  I  am  wil- 
ling to  bestow  my  labour  and  toil." 

"  When  T  gave  you  the  title-page,  it  occurred  to 
me,  that  an  appropriate  text  from  the  Scriptures, 
would  be  an  excellent  motto  to  dignify  the  page, 
and  might  serve  a  good  purpose  to  admonish  every 
individual,  who  would  certainly  read  it ;  but  the 
thought  or  rather  the  thing  escaped  me.  If  our 
committee  have  not  already  published  the  copy- 
right, I  refer  it  to  you  and  them,  whether,  under 
[the]  name,  where  mottos  are  usually  placed,  it 
would  not  be  ehgible  to  add — *Let  the  word  of 
Christ  dwell  in  you  richl}  in  all  wisdom,  teaching 
and  admonishhig  one  another  in  Psalms  and  Hymns 
and  Spiritual  Songs,  singing  with  grace  in  your 
hearts  unto  the  Lord.'  Coloss.  3.  16.  If  the  pub- 
lication of  the  copyright  be  already  made,  it  will 
be  too  late  to  make  this  addition." 

*         *         *         * 

"  Your  faithful  friend  and  servant, 

"J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 
«L  L.  Kip,  Esq." 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  401 

In  the  course  of  the  past  year,  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  College,  the  pious,  loved,  and  honour- 
ed Condict,  was  suddenly,  after  a  short  but  severe 
illness,  removed  to  another  and  better  world : — a 
mournful  dispensation  of  Divine  Providence,  which 
bereaved  the  Church  of  New- Brunswick  of  an  ex- 
cellent pastor,  whose  faithful  ministrations  it  had  en- 
joyed for  several  years,  and  the  College  of  an  offi- 
cer, under  whose  able  and  faithful  superintendence, 
this  Institution  had  already  acquired  considerable 
reputation.  The  death  of  this  good  man  was  soon 
followed  by  that  of  his  son,  a  youth  of  great  pro- 
mise, who  had  been  an  instructer  in  the  College  ; 
and  a  few  weeks  after,  another  youth,  a  graduate 
of  the  Institution,  admired  for  his  amiable  disposi- 
tion, ardent  piety,  and  brilUant  talents,  was  laid 
in  the  grave. 

The  Doctor,  with  many  others,  was  deeply  af- 
fected by  these  events,  well  knowing  the  loss  which 
the  Church  and  the  College  had  sustained :  and, 
inclosing  his  ad.  tress  at  the  Commencement  of  the 
same  year,  he  took  a  short  but  pathetic  notice  of 
them,  to  enforce  the  sage  and  affectionate  counsels, 
which  he  had  considered  it  his  duty  to  impart, 
upon  the  occasion  to  the  candidates  for  the  Bac- 
calaureate. 


This  address  was  altogether  worthy  of  its  vener. 
51 


402  NEW-BliUNSWlCK. 

able  author — ^plain,  sententious,  pious,  paternal— 
but  the  part  which  included  the  reference  mention- 
ed, on  account  of  this  reference,  particularly  merits 
some  attention. 

After  an  appropriate  proem,  the  worthy  Presi- 
dent arranged  and  condensed  the  advice  he  had  to 
give,  under  the  two  following  particulars : — 1. 
*'  You  are  devoted  to  study  and  literature  ;  you 
must,  then,  love  science,  and  be  diligent  in  the  inves- 
tigation of  truth.  2.  You  are,  above  all,  related  to 
your  God,  as  his  intelligent  creatures,  and  to  the 
Divine  Redeemer,  as  lost  sinners,  to  be  saved  by 
him;  you  must  love  and  experience  his  religion." 

Having  expatiated  upon  these  points,  he  then 
added,  "  Are  these  the  counsels  of  old  age  ?  Are 
these  exercises  suited  to  advanced  years  ?  Yes,  and 
they  are  equally  applicable  to  the  young  and  the 
gay,  to  the  strong  and  blooming.  Ah  !  boast  not 
of  to-morrow.  You  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring 
forth.  How  many  painful  examples — how  many 
severe  warnings,  continually  solicit  our  attention, 
and  exclaim  louder  than  thunder,  Be  ye  also 
ready.  Where  is  young  Van  Dike  ?  Last  year  he 
stood  as  you  now  stand.  I  had  pressed  his  hand 
and  blessed  him,  when  I  admitted  him  to  the  rank 
fo  which  you  are  now  raised,  and  he  bid  fair  to  live 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  403 

and  enjoy  the  honours  to  which  he  had  the  fairest 
claim.  His  early  attention  to  reading,  and  his  dili- 
gent studies,  had  advanced  him  to  notice.  The 
mildness  of  his  manners,  his  benevolent  temper,  and 
amiable  disposition,  recommended  him  to  univer- 
sal esteem  and  respect,  and  he  was  still  more  en- 
deared for  having  devoted  himself  to  the  ministry, 
and  intending  immediately  to  commence  in  the 
study  of  theology.  But  where  is  our  dear  young  Van 
Dike  ?  Yonder  in  the  cold  grave.  H  is  dust  has  re- 
turned to  dust.  Within  a  few  weeks  after  he  had 
delighted  this  audience  with  a  display  of  his  talents, 
while  he  was  preparing  to  enter  upon  the  arduous 
work  in  which  his  pious  heart  was  wholly  engaged, 
he  was  seized  with  a  fatal  fever,  which  soon  num- 
bered him  among  the  dead." 

"Yonder  the  affectionate  youth  was  interred,  near 
to  his  former  friend,  the  excellent  young  Condict, 
who  had  entered  into  the  world  of  spirits  a  few 
weeks  before.  He,  too,  was  an  only  son,  from  whose 
talents  and  piety  great  usefulness  was  expected. 
Ah  !  death  often  loves  a  lofty  aim.  By  two  sudden 
strokes,  two  -youths,  towering  as  the  cedar,  under 
whose  shade  repose  and  safety  had  been  anticipa- 
ted, were  in  a  moment  brought  down.  There  they 
lie — they  lie  near  the  consecrated  spot,  where  the 
remains  of  the  venerable  parent,    Condict^  r^st. 


404  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

Such  a  father,  and  such  a  son  !  and  they  so  quickly 
followed  by  such  a  youth  !     O  Death  !" 

"  Feel,  my  dear  young  gentlemen,  as  you  ought 
to  feel,  when  I  direct  your  views  to  the  tombs- 
Yet  a  little  while,  and  we  shall  all  be  numbered 
with  the  mighty  dead.  The  aged  and  the  young — 
the  lips  which  now  speak  these  tender  and  affect- 
ing truths,  and  you  who  so  attentively  hear,  will 
soon  speak  and  hear  no  more  after  the  manner  of 
mortals.  O,  then,  be  wise  for  eternity.  Let  true, 
vital,  and  experimental  religion,  be  your  first,  your 
chief  concern.  Be  faithful :  improve  your  talents, 
and  occupy  until  the  Master  comes.  Live  in  the 
Lord,  and  you  shall  be  blessed  when  you  die  in 
the  Lord.  Live  the  life  of  the  righteous,  and  your 
latter  end  shall  be  like  his.  Go  now  under  these 
impressions.  Feel  their  power,  and  indulge  their 
influence.  We  take  leave  of  you  with  emotions  of 
tender  affection,  and  part  with  reluctance.  We 
ardently  commit  you,  dear  young  gentlemen,  to 
the  blessing  of  the  God  of  Salvation.    Farewell." 

In  1813,  the  Rev.  Mr.  (afterwards  Doctor)  John 
Schureman,  of  New- York,  was  called  to  succeed  to 
Dr.  Condict  in  the  College.  The  call  was  accept- 
ed ;  but  the  College  had  so  greatly  declined;  and 
there  were  so  many  unfavourable  circumstances  at 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  405 

the  time  militating  against  it,  that  the  estimable 
character  of  the  new  Vice-President,  and  the  abili- 
ty and  zeal  with  which  he  entered  upon  and  dis- 
charged his  duties,  could  not  avail  to  restore  it  to 
its  former  prosperous  state  :  the  aggregate  num- 
ber of  students  continued  still  to  diminish.  And  it 
ought  to  be  farther  stated,  that  the  Rev.  John  M. 
Van  HarUngen,*  the  professor  of  Hebrew,  and 
teacher  of  Ecclesiastical  History  in  the  theologi- 
cal school,  departed  this  life  about  the  same  time  ; 
and  "  in  this  event,  the  Institution  sustained,"  as 
was  observed  by  the  Committee,  who  noticed  it  in 
their  report  upon  the  professorate,  "  a  serious  de- 
privation.^^— So  many  events  of  an  adverse  nature, 
and  so  quickly  following  each  other,  in  their  com- 
bined influence,  produced,  as  it  was  very  natur- 
al they  should,  among  some  of  the  friends  of  the 
professorate,  an  impression  that  God  in  his  provi- 
dence, was  frowning  upon  the  plan  which  Synod 
had  adopted  for  promoting  the  Institution. 

A  number  of  worthy  members  of  the  Church,  resid- 

*  It  is  regretted  that  no  materials  have  been  furnished  for  bio- 
graphical sketches  of  Mr.  Van  Harhngen,  Dr.  Condict,  and  some 
other  worthies,  whose  names  are  mentioned  in  the  course  of  the 
narrative.  Upen  the  death  of  Mr.  Van  Harlingen,  the  Board  of 
Superintendents  of  the  Theological  School,  temporarily  appointed 
the  Rev.  Peter  Steddiford  to  teach  Hebrew. 


406  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

ing  chiefly  in  the  city  of  New- York,  who  had  Ube- 
rally  contributed  to  tlie  establishment  of  the  s<  hool, 
in  its  present  location,  but  had  never,  notwithstand- 
ing, it  is  believed,  heartily  approved  of  its  removal 
and  union  with  Queen's  College,  now  indulged  very 
hopeless  calculations  with  respect  to  its  future  suc- 
cess.   They  could  not  persuade  themselves,  that  it 
would  ever  answer  the  expectations  of  the  Church, 
while  so  connected  and  located.  The  College,  upon 
which  so  much  dependence  had  been  placed,  for 
increasing  the  number  of  theological  students,  they 
had  reason  to  fear,  would,  ere  long,  be  once  more 
wholly  suspended — which  in  reahty  was  the  fact, 
within  two  or  three  years  after  : — They  knew,  too, 
that  the  professor,  for  whose  comfort  and  happi- 
ness they  felt  a  tender  concern,  had  gone  thither, 
bound,  as  it  were,  in  the  spirit,  and  that  the  funds 
which  had  been  raised,  were  very  inadequate  for 
his   support : — Thus  impressed,   and    convinced, 
moreover,  that  there  would  be  an  immediate  aug- 
mentation of  the  funds,  if  there  might  be  a  prospect 
of  bringing  the  school  back  to  New- York,  and  that 
the  school,  in  this  city,  would  be  more  known  and 
more  popular,   they  were  at  length  impelled  to 
take  measures,  or  at  least  to  commence  opera^ 
lions,  for  effecting  such  transfer. 

These  movements  in  New- York,  were  not  gene- 
rally regarded  with  much  favour ;  and  the  Doctor 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  407 

himself,  was  supposed  by  many,  to  have  originated 
them,  or  if  this  be  saying  too  much,  to  have  approv- 
ed and  encouraged  them.  The  writer  well  remem- 
bers the  animadversions  which  were  occasioned  b}' 
this  supposed  agency,  or  countenance,  and  feels 
gratified  that  he  is  able  to  present  in  this  connexion, 
two  letters  upon  the  subject,  which  will  show  that 
the  conduct  of  his  venerable  friend  in  the  matter, 
was,  in  truth,  deserving  of  the  highest  commenda- 
tion: 

"New Brunswick,  Sep.  1st,  1813. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

********  "With  much  inte- 
rest and  concern,  I  observe  what  you  communicate 
in  regard  to  the  growing  attention  to  the  Theolo- 
gical Institution.  As  it  is  the  great  object  to 
which  my  life  is  devoted,  I  cannot  be  indifferent  to 
any  thing  which  relates  to  that  subject. — There  are 
some  things  in  this  procedure,  which  claim  my  ador- 
ing gratitude,  and  some  which  are  covered  with  a 
cloud,  through  which  I  cannot  penetrate,  or  discern 
the  mind  and  disposal  of  Divine  Providence.  I  am 
glad  that  an  enlightened  and  pious  people,  who 
have  long  enjoyed  the  fruits  of  an  intelligent  and 
weU-educated  ministry,  begin  at  length  to  appre- 
ciate that  blessing  as  they  ought.  It  will  be  so  :  it 
must  be  so.  The  Lord's  people  must  lay  it  to 
heart ;  they  must  have  the  honour  of  bearing  a  part 


408  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

of  the  burthen,  m  which  the  prosperity  of  Zion  is 
so  deeply  concerned.  I  bless  God  most  fervently, 
that  they  are  aroused  to  see  and  feel,  and  exert 
themseves  in  this  precious  work.  I  consider  it  as  a 
token  for  good,  and  am  so  far  from  discouraging 
their  efforts,  that  I  wish  them  God  speed,  and  pray 
the  sentiment  may  take  deep  root,  and  excite 
through  all  our  churches  an  ardent  zeal,  which,  if 
directed  by  knowledge,  will,  I  am  persuaded,  be 
acceptable  to  the  great  Redeemer,  and  productive  of 
much  good.  It  is  a  high  and  noble  object ;  but 
the  time  in  which  it  commences,  and  the  point  to 
which  it  seems  to  be  directed,  are  to  me  dark  and 
inexplicable.  I  could  explain  what  I  mean  by  this, 
but  it  would  be  premature." 

"  It  will  suffice  to  observe,  that  after  an  institution 
is  already  established,  it  requires  great  prudence 
and  caution  to  oppose  it.  The  best  of  causes 
may,  by  precipitation  or  rashness,  be  essentially 
marred.  To  do  too  much,  may  sometimes  be 
worse  than  to  do  too  little.  Every  step  will  re- 
quire mature  deliberation,  and  nothing  positive 
with  respect  to  the  ultimate  location,  ought  to  be 
immediately  adopted.  The  subject,  in  all  its  bear- 
ings, is  interesting  in  the  highest  degree  to  the  peace 
of  the  Churches,  and  very  important  to  myself; 
but  unless  I  know  more  of  the  progress  and  pre- 
cise object  of  your  friendly  consultations,  or  until 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  40^) 

my  advice  be  requested,  it  would  be  an  improper 
anticipation  to  suggest  any  particular  idea  or  sen- 
timent. " 


"  The  Lord  bless  you  both,  with  your  dear  chil- 
dren, and  give  you  precious  answers  to  prayer.  I 
bless  you,  and  am, 

Dear  Sir, 
Your  faithful  friend  and  servant, 
"  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 
a.L.  Kip." 

"New-Brunswick,  Sep.  11th,  1813. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  observe  in  your  last 
esteemed  favour,  that  the  sentiments  I  expressed 
respecting  the  theological  institution,  met  with  your 
unequivocal  approbation:" 

"  It  is  a  great  object,  and  has  engaged  my  atten- 
tion and  prayers  many  years.  After  the  deranged 
state  in  which  the  business  had  been  brought,  by 
the  destructive  resolutions  of  the  General  Synods 
in  1797,  and  while  there  was  not  an  individual  who 
appeared  in  a  series  of  years,  to  think  upon  the 
subject,  or  assist  cordially,  in  devising  any  measures 

52 


410  NEW-BKUNSWICK. 

for  its  benefit,  I  was  encouraged  by  the  overtures 
made  by  the  Trustees  of  this  College,  and  hoped 
the  dawn  was  opeiiing,  which  would  bring  on  the 
day  for  which  we  had  so  long  waited.  No  objec- 
tions were  then  made,  and  as  all  concurred  in  fix- 
ing the  institution  in  this  place,  I  considered  it  to 
be  the  direction  of  Providence,  and  concluded  I 
was  going  the  right  way  when  I  came«'* 

"  There  is,  indeed,  room  for  amendments  ;  and 
the  future  security  of  the  institution,  renders  it  ne- 
cessary, in  its  present  state,  to  draw  such  broad 
liaes,  as  will  prevent  every  species  of  intrusion,  and 
secure  the  essential  point,  and  the  perfect  super- 
intendence, for  ever,  in  the  hands  of  the  General 
Synod." 

"  The  Churches  supposed  they  did  what  was 
right  in  fixing  upon  this  place,  and  I  thought  I  did 
what  was  right  in  coming  here  ;  yet  it  is  possible 
that  we  were  all  wrong  ;  but  it  is  also  possible 
that  after  all,  it  will  be  seen  we  have  done  exactly 
what  ought  to  be  done.  As  to  the  location  of  the 
institution  in  New- York,  with  all  the  advantages, 
which  in  theory  appear  plausible,  there  may  be 
dangers,  which,  at  the  present  moment,  excite  no 
apprehension  ;  but  at  a  day  not  very  distant,  might 
prove  exceeding  formidable.   It  is  said,  that  in  the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  411 

ocean  the  large  fishes  devour  the  small,  and  it  is 
certain  that  upon  the  land,  something  like  this  is 
often  realized.  We  are,  perhaps,  in  the  safest  situa- 
tion when  we  remain  alone,  without  the  collision 
of  jarring  interests,  or  aspiring  competitors ; — in 
waters  where  no  sharks  can  pursue  us." 

"  I  now  indulge  the  hope,  that  the  time  to 
favour  Zion,  yea,  the  set  time  is  come,  because  the 
servants  of  the  Lord  begin  to  take  pleasure  in  her 
stones,  and  favour  the  dust  thereof.  The  meetings 
you  have  had  will  serve  very  important  purposes, 
and  greatly  interest  the  Churches  in  this  great 
work.  I  am  happy  that  men  of  prudence,  as  well 
as  zeal,  are  active  members  with  you.  Under  such 
influence,  with  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  I  am  con- 
fident nothing  rash  will  be  adopted,  but  much  good 
wiU  be  produced." 

*****  * 

"  Mercies  rest  upon  you,  and  all  yours,  always. 
I  bless  you,  and  am 

"  Your  affectionate  and  faithful  Mend, 

«J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 
"L  L.  Kip,  Esq." 

Toward  the  close  of  the  following  year,  the 
Doctor  experienced  a  most  painful  affliction  in  the 


412  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

death  of  his  excellent  wife.  They  had  Uved 
together,  in  the  greatest  harmony  and  love,  for 
nearly  forty  years — and  she  did  not  die  unwept.  He 
felt  and  mourned  his  loss  ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  dis- 
played under  it  the  faith,  and  fortitude,  and  resigna- 
tion of  a  saint,  ripe  himself  for  a  transition  to  a 
better  world,  where  the  pangs  of  separation  from 
souls  congenial — where  death,  and  sorrow,  and 
crying,  shall  be  known  no  more.  On  the  morning 
of  the  day  when  her  remains  were  to  be  interred,  he 
sat  down,  and  wrote  his  friend,  Mr.  Kip,  the  sub- 
joined letter : 

"  New-Brunswick,  Dec.  30,  1814. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  It  is  done.  The  conflict  is  over.  She 
has  obtained  the  victory,  and  is  entered  into  rest. 
On  Sunday  morning,  Mrs.  Livingston  was  seized 
with  a  pain  in  her  head,  which  increased,  and  soon 
became  very  violent.  She  laid  down,  and  was  much 
indisposed,  but  no  symptoms  that  produced  any 
alarm,  appeared  before  Tuesday,  when  her 
strength  appeared  to  be  wholly  prostrated,  and  she 
sunk  into  a  deep  sleep,  with  intermediate  agitations 
and  struggles,  without  however  being  aroused  from 
her  lethargy.  In  the  evening  of  Wednesday,  it 
was  evident  her  departure  was  at  hand,  and,  with- 
out another  struggle  or  groan,  she  graduaUy  and 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  41^ 

gently  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  her  Redeemer. 
She  left  us  a  little  after  twelve  that  night. — Before 
she  was  taken  ill,  she  frequently  expressed  an  ar- 
dent desire  to  be  with  Christ,  and  almost  envied 
those  who  were  called  home,  of  which  there  were 
three  instances  in  this  place,  in  the  course  of  this 
very  week.  Her  Lord  has  given  her  the  desire 
of  her  soul,  and  has  received  her  spirit." 

'*  This  day  her  dear  remains  are  to  be  deposited 
in  the  silent  grave. — I  do  not  love  my  blessed  Je- 
sus any  thing  less  for  afflicting  me.  He  is  now 
very  precious  to  me.  All  my  springs  are  in  Him. 
He  stands  by  me,  and  strengthens  me.  It  is  the  Lord. 
He  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  his  name,  notwith- 
standing.— It  is  the  heaviest  stroke  I  have  ever 
received;  but  it  is  well. — In  the  Lord  I  have 
righteousness  and  strength." 

**  I  can  only  drop  a  hasty  line.  I  know  your  lov- 
ing heart  will  sympathize  with  me,  and  my  afflicted 
children :  pray  for  me  and  them.  Her  sickness  be- 
ing only  four  days,  prevented  my  sending  in  time 
for  my  dear  son." 

"  It  wiD  be  proper,  for  the  information  of  distant 
Mends  and  relations,  to  insert  the  event  in  the  pa- 
pers.— You  wiU  please  to  let  them  announce  that — 
Died  on  Thursday  the  29th  inst.  at  New-Brunswick, 


414  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

N.  J.,  Mrs.  Sarah  Livingston,  wife  of  Rev.  Dr  Li- 
vingston, in  the  6Sd  year  of  her  age.  Them  which 
sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him. — I  can 
now  only  bless  you  and  yours,  and  am 

"  Your  afflicted  and  faithful  friend, 

"J.H.LIVINGSTON." 

A  few  days  after,  he  thus  acknowledged  the  re- 
ceipt of  a  letter,  expressive  of  condolence,  from  the 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Romeyn,  of  New- York  : 

"  New-Brunswick,  Jan.  3d,  1815. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  He  who  refines  his  people  in  the  furnace  of  afflic- 
tion, walks  with  them  through  the  fire,  that  they 
shall  not  be  burned  ;  and  his  presence  and  grace 
prevent  the  flame  from  kindling  upon  them.  I 
have  always  found  his  promise  sure ;  and,  to  his 
praise,  I  can  now  humbly  say,  that  he  makes  my 
strength  equal  to  my  day.  Although  I  am  cast 
down,  yet  I  am  not  destroyed." 

"  It  is  an  additional  source  of  consolation,  that  ni} 
worthy  Christian  friends  sympathize  in  my  sor- 
rows. They  weep  with  him  who  weeps,  and  their 
affectionate  condolence  is  a  balm  to  the  wounded 
heart.  I  thank  you  most  sincerely  for  your  very 
kind  letter.    It  comforted  me.    It  was  a  word  in 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  415 

season,  and  suggested  sentiments  which  soothed 
and  strengthened  my  soul. — Your  tender  attention 
has  increased  my  love  for  you,  and  I  now  know 
that  I  have  found  a  friend  upon  whom  I  can  lean 
with  confidence  in  my  dechning  years.  The  Lord 
sanctify  and  comfort  you  and  dear  Mrs.  Romeyn ! 

I  bless  you  both,  and  am  most  respectfully, 
Your  faithful,  afflicted,  yet  supported  friend 
and  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn.    "  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON." 

The  following  answer  to  a  letter  from  his  friend, 
Mr.  Kip,  of  a  later  date,  affords  farther  evidence 
of  the  pious  serenity  of  his  mind,  under  this  sore 
bereavement : 

"New-Brunswick,  Jan.  16,  1815. 

"My  very  dear  Friend, 

**  It  is  kind  to  sympathize  in  affliction,  and  help 
bear  the  burdens  which,  sometimes  when  suppor- 
ted alone,  prove  very  heavy.  I  thank  you  for  your 
affectionate  letter.  In  an  hour  of  trial,  the  darkest 
and  most  peculiar  in  many  respects  I  have  ever 
experienced,  the  Lord  has  not  forsaken  me.  My 
mind  is  preserved  in  peace,  and  grace  has  prevent- 
ed a  single  murmuring  thought.  It  is  all  right.  It 
is  never  convenient  for  us  to  suffer.  But  w^ho  shall 
say  unto  him.  What  doest  thou  ?  The  sovereignty 
of  God  first  deeply  impressed  my  mind,  and  I  was 


416  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

afraid  to  sin.'  The  precious  relation  of  my  Redeem- 
er, in  covenant  love  and  faithfulness,  now  prevails, 
and  I  adore  and  bless  him.*    It  is  well.  It  is  not  in 

*  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  inscription  which  the  Doctor 
wrote,  and  had  put  upon  the  tomb-stone  that  covers  his  wife's 
grave  :— 

To  commemorate 

Departed  Excellence, 

This  Stone  is  erected 

in  Memory  of 

SARAH  LIVINGSTON, 

by  her  Husband, 

John  H.  Livingston,  D.  D. 

She  was 

Born  in  New- York,  Dec.  7,  1752, 

and 

Fell  asleep  in  New-Brunswick,  Dec.  29,  1814. 

A  persevering  life  of  Faith, 
of  Meekness,  and  Piety, 

rendered  her 
A  blessing  to  her  Family, 

and  endeared  her 
to  all  who  could  estimate 
what  is  valuable 
in  the  Christian, 
the  Wife,  the  Mother, 
and  the  Friend. 

To  die  is  gain. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  417 

wrath,  but  mercy.    It  will  work  for  good.    He  will 
not  forget  to  be  gracious." 

"  I  can  scarcely  realize  what  has  happened,  and 
seem  to  be  not  at  home.  The  treasure  and  joy  of 
the  house,  the  spring  of  all  the  domestic  movements 
is  gone.  The  change  is  great  and  essential.  We 
begin  to  be  composed,  and  my  dear  daughters  sus- 
tained their  grief  and  loss  with  propriety.  My  son 
has  not  been  able  to  come  down  yet.  His  only 
housekeeper  was  at  the  point  of  death  with  the  ty- 
phus fever.  His  last  letter  mentions  a  hope  of  her 
recovery.  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  see  you,  when- 
ever the  season  will  permit  you  to  come  with  safe- 
ty to  your  own  precious  health." 

"  The  bundle  you  sent  has  safely  arrived.  My 
children  thank  Mrs.  K d,  for  her  kind  at- 
tention. The  Lord  spare  and  bless  you  and  yours  ! 

Second  Side — 
Them  which  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  Him. 

Third  Side— 
Farewell,  blest  Saint,  a  short  farewell, 

Until  we  meet  in  realms  above, 
Where  joys  immortal  ever  dwell, 

And  faith  and  hope  are  lost  in  iove. 

Fourth  Side — 
0  Death,  where  is  thy  sting !     0  grave,  where  is  thv  victory  1 
5.9 


4l§  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

My  daughters  join  in  love  to  Mrs.  K — p,  and  Mrs. 

K d,  and  yourself.     My  soul  blesses  you,  and 

all  yours ; — and  I  am, 

*'  Your  afflicted,  but  faithful  friend, 

"J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 
"I.  L.  Kip." 

It  has  been  intimated  that  after  the  death  of  the  la- 
mented Condict,  Queen's  College  enjoyed  but  a  small 
share  of  public  patronage,  and  was,  in  appearance, 
gradually  verging  to  a  state  of  extinction.  Such 
was  the  fact  yet  in  1815.  Circumstances  wore 
still  a  very  unfavourable  and  discouraging  aspect. 
There  was  now  little  probability  of  its  ever  becom- 
ing a  literary  institution  of  any  eminence,  and  the 
Doctor,  whose  mind  was  intent  upon  building  up  a 
theological  seminary  of  the  first  character,  seized 
the  conjuncture  for  the  introduction  of  a  plan, 
which  he  had  many  years  before  suggested  to  some 
of  his  particular  friends,  and  which,  as  the  attentive 
reader  will  readily  recollect  was,  in  effiect,  to  con- 
vert Queen's  College  uito  a  Theological  College. 

For  some  time  before,  as  it  would  appear,  he  had 
seriously  revolved  the  plan,  and  endeavoured  to 
mature  it  to  his  own  satisfaction.  In  a  letter  da- 
ted Sep.  3d,  1813,  he  presented  it  to  Dr.  Romeyn, 
and  requested  a  communication  of  that  gentleman's 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  419 

ideas  upon  the  subject.  Whether  the  request  was 
complied  with,  as  Dr.  R.  was  then  about  to  depart 
for  Europe,  is  not  known  ;  but  in  the  letter  refer- 
red to,  he  says — "  The  whole  question  seems  to 
be  reduced  to  two  points.  Is  it  practicable  ?  Is 
it  desirable  ? — It  is  practicable.  How  it  may  be 
accompUshed  (a)  on  the  part  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  College,  consistently  with  their  charter  ;  (b) 
on  the  part  of  the  Churches,  conformably  with  their 
supreme  prerogative  in  every  appointment  of  all 
theological  professorships.  Query.  Whether  such 
an  arrangement  will  not  reduce  the  Trustees  to 
mere  holders  of  the  funds  of  the  General  Synod  ? 
The  Board  of  Trustees  is  composed  of  men  of 
various  denominations.  It  is  desirable  (a)  on 
the  part  of  the  College,  because,  as  a  literary  insti- 
tution, Queen*s  College  is  not  necessary ;  its  funds 
are  inadequate  and  will  so  continue,  nor  wiU,  nor 
can  it  ever  prosper  in  the  neighbourhood  of  two 
powerful  rivals  ;  but  by  assuming  a  new  form,  it  will 
be  supported,  become  useful,  and  celebrated ;  (b) 
on  the  part  of  the  Churches  their  funds  will  thereby 
be  increased  and  rendered  secure  :  no  separate 
interest  in  the  institution  will  exist ;  the  whole  will 
be  simple,  singular,  and  respectable." 


^*  The  Lord,  your  good  Shepherd,  go  before  you, 


420  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

shield  you  from  every  evil,  and  give  you  the 
desiresof  your  heart.  Live  by  faith.  Remember 
always,  and  every  where,  whose  you  are,  and  whom 
you  serve.  Fear  not :  He  will  be  your  help  and 
shield.  My  fervent  wishes  and  prayers  shall  follow 
you.  When  you  return  in  health,  I  shall  probably 
be  at  home  in  rest  with  my  Divine  Redeemer  and 
all  those  who  have  gone  before  me.  If  you  never 
see  me  again,  remember  I  was  your  father's  friend 
and  your  friend.  May  you  be  long  spared  to  be 
more  faithful  and  more  useful  than  I  have  been.'* — 

"  I  have  endeavoured  to  recollect  some  friend 
in  HoUand  to  whom  I  could  introduce  you,  but  I 
do  not  know  that  any  of  them  are  left.  Forty-three 
years  have  swept  them  all  away.  One  name,  how- 
ever, was  not  in  the  hst  of  the  deceased  which  I 
last  received.  If  he  be  aUve,  you  will  find  in  him 
a  pious  believer,  a  good  scholar,  and  a  celebrated 
poet.  He  was  born  and  resided  in  the  Hague,  and 
was  my  bosom  friend.  His  name  is  Petrus  Leo- 
nardus  Van  de  Kasteele. — He  was  a  lawyer,  and  has 
sustained  some  pubUc  offices  ;  but  what,  or  where 
he  now  is,  I  do  not  know."t       *        *        * 

I  A  letter  has  been  found  among  the  Doctor's  papers  from 
Dr.  Romeyn,  written  when  this  gentleman  was  in  Holland,  to  Dr. 
L.  which,  as  it  gives  a  view  of  the  moral  and  religious  state  of  that 
country  at  the  time,  we  take  the  liberty  to  present. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  421 

At  the  session  of  General  Synod  held  in  Albany, 
June,  1815,  the  plan  of  a  Theological  College  was 

"  Utrecht,  June  12, 1814. 
"  Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Little  did  I  expect  when  I  bid  you  farewell  at  Mr.  Kip's, 
in  New- York,  that  I  would,  in  the  course  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, have  had  the  opportunity  during  my  absence  abroad,  to 
address  a  letter  to  you  from  this  place — a  place,  the  name  of 
which  must  revive  many  tender  recollections  in  your  mind." 

"  I  am  now  on  my  return  to  England  by  the  way  of  Rotterdam, 
having  visited  besides  Rotterdam  and  this  place,  Delft,  the 
Hague,  Leyden,  Haerlem,  and  Amsterdam.  To  all  these  places, 
except  Delft,  I  have  been  kindly  furnished  with  letters  from  Dr. 
Wernnick,  Minister  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  England,  which 
procured  a  ready  access  to  the  persons  addressed.  These  per- 
sons promptly  furnished  me  with  the  information  desired,  which, 
if  Hive  to  return  and  have  the  happiness  of  meeting  you,  I  shall 
take  pleasure  in  communicating  to  you." 

"  The  character  of  this  people,  my  dear  Sir,  has  greatly  dete^ 
riorated  in  moral  and  religious  excellence  since  your  residence. 
The  various  revolutions  which  have  taken  place  since  1787,  and 
particularly  since  1795,  have  had  the  most  fatal  effects  upon  the 
veracity  and  honesty  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  community. 
Every  revolution  brought  along  with  it  a  new  administration  of  go- 
vernment, which  endeavoured  to  support  itself  by  oaths.  These 
oaths  so  often  repeated,  and  so  often  broken,  ultimately  destroyed 
the  solemnity  of  the  oath,  which,  in  its  turn,  destroyed  a  proper 
regard  to  their  promise  in  individuals.  Besides,  during  the  domi- 
nance of  the  French,  the  requisitions  demanded  were  frequent. 


422  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

submitted  to  this  bod}^  in  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee upon  the  Professorate,  and  adopted. 


consisting  of  a  certain  proportion  of  the  income  and  stable  pro- 
perty of  individuals.  The  payment  of  these  was  accompanied, 
in  every  instance,  by  the  oath  of  him  who  paid.  As  these  requisi- 
tions were  heavy,  the  citizens  were  tempted  to  trangress,  to  save 
themselves  from  want.  The  judgments  of  God  upon  the  country 
have  not  produced  suitable  humiliation  and  repentance  in  the  in- 
habitants. The  public  worship  of  God  is  not  so  well  attended  as  it 
used  to  be  previous  to  1795.  The  young  and  rising  generation  are 
very  generally  Frenchified,  loose  in  their  principles,  and  negligent 
of  all  religious  duties.  Great  apprehensions  are  entertained  by 
the  pious  fathers  and  mothers  in  this  Israel,  for  the  future,  in  con- 
sequence of  this  state  in  which  the  youth  have  fallen." 

"  The  do-Ttrines  of  g-ace  are  still  taught  in  the  universities  and 
pulpits.  The  elder  ministers  are  more  engaged  than  the  younger, 
and  also  more  practical.  Many,  too  many  of  the  latter,  and  of 
students  in  theology,  are  desitute  of  personal  religion,  though  not 
immoral.  They  are  inchning  to  liberal  views  in  religion,  and  ap- 
proximating remotely  to  a  scheme  of  doctrine,  which  is  hostile  to 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus." 

"  The  good  old  works  of  Hellenbrook,  Schortenghius,  Bra- 
kel,  &c.  are  going  fast  out  of  date.  Among  the  more  polished 
part  of  Christians  their  day  is  over ;  but  among  the  lower  classes 
they  are  still  in  some  repute.  The  works  of  a  Dom.  Kist,  in 
Dort,  are  popular  above  all  other  practical  works.  The  character 
of  his  writings,  as  the  evangelical  clergy  and  laymen  assure  me, 
is  sound  and  excellent.  The  works  of  Doddridge,  John  Newton, 
and  Wm.  Romaine,  are  also  very  popular,  and  doing  much  good. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  423 

In  this  report,  the  committee  say,  "  The  follow- 
ing plan  of  a  Theological  College,  to  be  formed  by 

"  Alphons^  Turretin,  to  my  grief,  is  superseding  Francis,  his 
father,  in  the  estimation  of  the  learned.  Vitringa  and  Venema 
stand  high,  but  Witsius  is  rather  on  the  wane.  MichaeUs, 
Koppe,  and  Ernest,  of  the  Germans,  are  in  great  demand,  but 
enly  as  biblical  critics. 

"  The  Sabbath  is  most  wofully  profaned.  During  Napoleon's 
government,  the  Theatre  was  open,  on  Sabbath  evening,  in  Am- 
sterdam and  the  Hague.  Still  many  stores  are  open  during  the 
day  in  Amsterdam  and  Rotterdam,  and  during  the  evening,  in  the 
former  place,  many  more." 

"  The  impressions  of  gratitude  for  deliverance  from  the  French, 
at  first  were  deep,  and  the  expressions  thereof  very  general.  But 
the  people  begin  to  forget  the  Lord,  and  the  works  of  his  hand. 
Indeed,  it  appears  to  me  from  what  I  have  seen  and  heard,  that 
heavier  judgments  are  in  store  for  these  lands.  I  fear  these 
judgments  will  be  chiefly  spiritual." 

"  In  my  wanderings,  I  have  met  one  of  your  old  friends,  a  Mr. 
Ledabore,  of  Rotterdam.  He  begged  me,  when  [  wrote  to  you,  to 
say  that  I  had  become  acquainted  with  the  person  who,  forty  odd 
years  ago,  wrote  a  couplet  of  poetry  in  your  Album.  He  charged 
me  to  mention  him  affectianately  to  you  in  my  letter.  This 
charge  I  now  cheerfully,  and  with  peculiar  pleasure,  fulfil. 

"  I  must  conclude  this  long  letter.  My  health  and  Mrs.  R.'s  is 
materially  benefitted  by  our  transatlantic  excursion.  We  unite 
in  presenting  our  affectionate  regards  to  Mrs.  Livingston  and 


424  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

a  union  between  Queen's  College  and  the  profes- 
sorate, has  been  under  the  serious  consideration  of 
the  Committee,  and  they  beg  leave  to  lay  it  before 
the  Synod." 

The  plan  is  then  given  in  the  form  of  a  quotation, 
in  these  words — "  1.  Let  this  College,  when  form- 
ed, have  for  its  object,  primarily^  the  education 
of  young  men  for  the  Gospel  Ministry.  For  se- 
curing this  object,  the  religion  of  the  Scriptures,  as 
explained  in  the  Belgic  Confession  of  Faith  and 
Heidlebergh  Catechism,  shall  be  the  basis  of  all  the 
instruction  given  in  this  institution.  The  teachers, 
if  not  clergymen,  must  be  professors  of  reUgion,  or 
at  least,  must  subscribe  their  assent  to  the  doctrines 
contained  in  the  above-mentioned  Confession  and 
Catechism." 

"  2.  As  it  is  not  probable  that  so  many  youths,  de- 
signed for  the  ministry,  will  offer  themselves  for 
admission  in  this  College,  as  to  occupy  the  time  and 
exercise  the  talents  of  the  teachers,  let  a  select 

yourself.   I  hope  that  you  are  in  the  enjoyment  of  health  of  body, 

and  prosperity  of  soul. 

"  With  unfeigned  respect  and  affection, 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Yours,  in  the  best  bonds, 

"JOHN  B.  ROMEYN. 
"  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston." 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  425 

number,  designed  for  any  other  profession  (say  20, 
30,  40,  50)  be  admitted,  speciali  gratia,  who  shall 
be  subject  to  all  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
College.  The  age  at  which  students  are  to  be  ad- 
mitted, to  be  not  less  than  14  years. " 

"3.  Let  there  be  four  professors,  who  shall  be  ap- 
pointed as  follows : — 1.  The  professor  of  theology, 
by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Church,  which  ap- 
pointment the  Trustees  shall  approve.  2.  The  pro- 
fessor of  biblical  criticism  in  the  same  way.  3. 
The  professor  of  ecclesiastical  history,  in  the 
same  way.  4.  The  professor  of  mathematics, 
&c.  by  the  Trustees  alone.  5.  Let  the  three  theo- 
logical professors  be  thus  appointed  by  General 
Synod,  who  shall  specify  their  departments  in  theo- 
logical studies :  their  other  services  to  be  regula- 
ted by  the  Trustees.  6.  Let  the  two  funds  be 
blended  in  one,  with  an  understanding  that  Synod 
will  raise,  annually,  half  the  support  of  the  pro- 
fessors whom  they  appoint." 

The  Committee  then  add,  that  they  "  are  fully 
impressed  with  the  utihty  of  such  a  plan,  as  calcu- 
lated to  answer  the  great  end  contemplated  by  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  in  furnishing  the 
Churches  with  a  pious  and  able  ministry.     On  the 

expediency  of  immediately  taking  measures  in  so 

54 


426  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

important  a  matter,  necessarily  involving  great 
alterations  in  the  present  plan  subsisting  between 
the  Trustees  and  this  Synod,  they  forbear  to 
express  a  decided  opinion  ;  but  they  recommend 
it  to  the  serious  attention  of  Synod,  and  suggest 
the  propriety  of  appointing  a  Committee,  to  lay  the 
above  plan  before  the  Trustees  of  Queen's  College, 
for  their  consideration." 

A  Committee  was  accordingly  appointed  to  con- 
fer with  the  Board  of  Trustees,  on  the  subject  of 
the  above  plan,  which  there  can  be  no  doubt  had 
been  originally  drawn  up,  and  was  now  proposed 
by  the  Doctor. 

*'  The  rehef  ofthis  aged  and  venerable  teacher, 
the  plan  of  the  school,  its  respectabiHty  and  use- 
fulness, together  with  the  reputation  and  interests 
of  the  Church  at  large,"  it  had  been  previously 
judged,  required  "  the  estabhshment  of,  at  least, 
another  professorship ;"  and  the  Consistories  of  the 
Churches  in  Albany  and  New-Brunswick,  having 
made  certain  liberal  proffers  toward  the  object,  for 
a  term  of  years,  this  Synod  resolved  to  appoint  an 
additional  professor.  Pursuant  to  this  resolution, 
they  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  suitable  person, 
and,  on  counting  the  ballots,  it  appeared  that  the 
Rev.  John  Schureman  was  chosen  professor  of 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  427 

pastoral  theology  and  ecclesiastical  history. — The 
appointment  was  accepted.* 

*  Dr.  Schureman  died  of  a  typhus  fever,  May  15,  1818,  after 
serving  the  church,  as  professor,  but  about  two  years  and  a  half. 

He  was  truly  one  of  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  and  furnished 
with  such  gifts,  natural  and  acquired,  that  had  his  life  been  spared 
he  would  doubtless  have  become  very  distinguished  in  the  depart- 
ment assigned  him.  The  Church  greatly  deplored  the  loss  sus- 
tained in  his  death  ;  and  the  following  was  the  expression  of  the 
sentiments  of  the  General  Synod,  in  reference  to  the  event : — 

"  The  death  of  the  late  professor,  Rev.  Dr.  John  Schureman, 
is  an  event  which,  however  it  may  have  been  his  incalulable  gain, 
is  deeply  to  be  deplored  by  us.  So  amiable  were  his  manners — 
so  undoubted  his  piety — so  acceptable  his  services — and  so  flat- 
tering were  the  prospects,  as  to  his  usefulness  to  the  Church,  that 
we  cannot  but  mourn  that  such  a  man  is  removed  from  our  insti- 
tution. But  it  is  the  Lord's  will,  and  we  are  to  be  resigned  ;  be- 
sides, the  cause  of  our  college  we  trust  is  the  Lord's  cause,  and 
we  are  assured  that  it  shall  be  promoted."  At  the  next  session 
of  Synod,  it  was  resolved,  *'  that  a  plain  tombstone  be  erected 
over  his  grave,  with  a  suitable  inscription,  declaring  the  important 
station  he  occupied  in  the  church,  and  the  esteem  which  this  body 
will  long  cherish  for  one  whose  praise  was  in  all  the  churches." 

The  Doctor  was  born  Oct.  19,  1778,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
New-Brunswick. — As  soon  as  he  was  sufficiently  initiated  in  the 
learned  languages,  and  other  preparatory  studies,  he  became  a 
member  of  Queen's  College,  and  to  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts  in  that  Institution,  Sept.  30,  1795,  when  he  was  not  yet  se- 
venteen years  of  age.     He  pursued  the  study  of  theology  undei" 


428  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

A  circumstance  occurred  at  the  present  meet- 
ing of  Synod,  which,  as  it  will  serve  to  give  an  idea 


Dr.  Livingston,  and,  in  1800,  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
About  a  year  after,  he  was  ordained  to  the  service  of  the  sanctuary, 
and  installed  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  at  Bedminster, 
N.  J. — In  1807,  he  acepted  a  call  from  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  at  Millstone,  N.  J.  and  in  1809,  he  was  called  and  in- 
stalled one  of  the  pastors  of  the  Collegiate  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  in  New- York.  He  had  not  been  settled  long  in  the  city, 
before  he  found  his  health  to  fail  him,  and  this  continuing  to  be  the 
case  more  and  more,  upon  receiving  an  invitation  to  occupy  the 
vacancy  in  Queen'3  College,  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Con- 
diet,  he  resigned  his  pastoral  charge,  and  removed  to  New- 
Brunswick,  in  1811.  The  college  was,  for  the  present  at  least, 
irrecoverably  depressed,  and  all  the  efforts  he  could  employ  to 
improve  its  state,  proved  unavailing ;  but  his  removal  was,  by  the 
divine  blessing,  the  means  of  restoring  his  health. — In  January, 
1813,  he  was  installed  in  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  in  New-Brunswick  : — this  situation,  however,  the 
failure  of  his  health  again  soon  compelled  him  to  relinquish. — In 
October,  1815,  the  General  Synod,  as  stated  above,  appointed 
him  professor  of  ecclesiastical  history,  &c.  and  in  May,  1818,  his 
earthly  house  was  dissolved,  and  he  was  translated  to  an  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,  in  the  40th  year  of  his 
age.  His  character  was  well  drawn  in  a  few  words,  in  a  letter  ad- 
dressed to  the  writer,  shortly  after  his  death,  by  Dr.  Livingston. 

"  You  knew  him.  He  was  mild  and  pleasant ;  discerning  and 
firm  ;  steadfast,  but  not  obstinate  ;  zealous,  but  not  assuming. 
The  frequent  hemorrhage  of  his  lungs,  and  the  habitual  weakness 
of  his  constitution,  prevented  him  from  close  and  intense  studies  ; 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  429 

of  the  admiration  the  Doctor's  personal  appearance 
excited  wherever  he  went,  as  well  as  of  the 
high  respect  cherished  for  his  elevated  character, 
must  not  be  omitted.  It  is  thus  noticed  in  the  mi- 
nutes of  the  Synod  : — "  Several  gentlemen  inform- 
ed the  Synod,  that  as  a  testimony  of  the  high  respect 
which  they  entertain  for  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  H. 
Livingston,  they  have  requested  him  to  permit  Mr. 
Ames,  of  the  city  of  Albany,  to  take  his  portrait, 
which  they  design  to  present  to  the  Board  of  Super- 
intendents, for  preservation  in  the  Theological 
Hall,  in  New-Brunswick. — Resolved  unanimously, 
that  the  thanks  of  this  Synod  be  presented  to  those 
gentlemen,  and  that  they  have  liberty  to  deposit 
said  portrait  in  the  Theological  Hall." 

The  plan  of  the  Theological  College  was  formal- 
ly acceded  to  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  at  an 
extraordinary  session  of  the  Synod,  convened  in 
the  autumn  of  this  year,  all  the  details  of  the  same 

yet  he  was  a  good  belles-lettres  scholar.  His  style  was  correct 
and  pure  ;  and  he  made  such  progress  in  the  official  branches  of 
his  professorship,  that  his  lectures  upon  ecclesiastical  history 
and  pastoral  theology,  were  highly  acceptable,  and  very  useful 
The  suavity  of  his  manners,  and  the  propriety  of  his  conduct,  en- 
d  eared  him  to  the  students,  and  recommended  him  to  the  respect 
and  affection  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  growing  into  exten- 
sive usefulness,  and  had  he  lived,  and  progressed  as  he  began, 
would  have  become  a  treasure  to  the  Theological  College." 


430  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

were  digested  and  settled ;  but  the  following  year, 
the  Trustees  found  themselves  under  the  necessity 
of  informing  the  Synod,  that  owing  to  the  inade- 
quacy of  their  funds,  they  could  not  "  support  the 
present  establishment  of  professors  and  teachers  in 
the  College."  This  being  the  fact,  it  was  not  pos- 
sible immediately  to  carry  the  plan  into  complete 
operation,  and  the  literary  exercises  of  the  Institu- 
tion were  in  consequence  discontmued. 

While  he  instructed  his  "  dear  young  men,"  as 
he  was  wont  to  call  them,  with  an  ability,  diUgence, 
and  zeal,  which  the  Board  of  Superintendents  in 
their  annual  report  upon  the  state  of  the  school, 
frequently  commended  in  strong  terms,  and  while 
he  sought,  m  every  practicable  way,  to  render  the 
Institution  under  his  care,  more  extensively  useful, 
the  Doctor  devoted  much  of  his  attention  to  other 
matters,  which  he  supposed  to  be  in  any  wise  con- 
nected with  the  peace,  purity,  and  prosperity  of  the 
Church  at  large.  As  a  proof  of  this,  it  is  proper 
to  state,  that  he  had  employed  some  of  his  time  of 
late,  in  preparing  a  dissertation  upon  the  question 
relative  to  the  lawfulness  of  a  marrage  with  a 
deceased  wife's  sister — a  question,  which  had  often 
occasioned  considerable  discussion  in  the  several 
judicatories  of  the  Church,  and  which  was  yet,  as 
many  believed,  involved  in  no  little  difficulty.    He 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  431 

was  tully  convinced  of  the  unlawfulness  of  the 
connexion  ;  and  in  the  spring  of  1816,  gave  to  the 
public  a  pamphlet,  containing  a  very  elaborate  ar- 
gument against  it,  and  in  support  of  the  existing  law 
of  the  Church  upon  the  subject. — A  copy  of  this 
pamphlet,  or  small  book,  entitled  "A  Dissertation 
on  the  Marriage  of  a  Man  with  his  Sister-in-Law," 
he  presented  to  the  Synod.  The  Synod  presented 
in  return,  their  thanks  for  the  book,  and  resolved 
that  it  should  be  deposited  among  their  archives. 

It  has  been  seen  that  the  Doctor  rather  discoun  - 
tenanced  the  design  which  had  been  formed  in 
New- York,  to  obtain  a  transfer  of  the  school  to  that 
city : — His  views  of  such  a  measure,  however,  be- 
came afterwards  somewhat  changed,  in  conse- 
quence, probably,  of  the  disappointment  of  his  cal- 
culations with  respect  to  the  Theological  College. — ■ 
The  same  thing  was  now  again  seriously  intended ; 
and  at  the  same  time,  some  gentlemen  at  the  North, 
contemplated  the  establishment  of  a  theological 
school  within  the  bounds  of  the  Particular  Synod 
of  Albany. — Upon  both  these  projects,  he  was  con» 
suited ;  and  his  hope  of  seeing  his  expectations 
realized  at  New- Brunswick,  being  almost  annihila- 
ted, he  lent  an  indulgent  ear  to  both. 

The  following  letter  relating  to  them,  will  be  pe- 
rused with  interest : 


432  JVEW-BKUNSWICH. 

"New-Brunswick,  Dec. 3d,  1816, 
"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Thtit  it  is  practicable  to  establish  a  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  city  of  N  ew-Yorkj  I  never  doubt- 
ed : — to  obtain  it  was  always  my  wish  and  object. 
But  after  waiting  and  toiling,  without  the  counte- 
nance and  assistance  either  of  the  public  or  even  any 
individual,  I  at  length  desponded,  and  sunk  under 
the  weight  of  an  Institution,  which  had  pressed  upon 
me  alone  so  many  years. — No  friend,  no  brother, 
to  strengthen  my  hands,  console  my  heart,  or  en- 
courage me  in  my  labours  ;  no  compensation  to  me, 
nor  any  provision  devised  for  a  successor  in  the 
work  ;  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  dismissing  any 
farther  efforts,  and  suffering  the  Institution  finally 
to  fall,  or  to  remove  to  some  other  place,  at  the 
sacrifice  not  only  of  interest,  but  of  every  thing 
dear  and  precious  to  my  heart.  It  was  to  me  a 
species  of  martyrdom,  which  nothing  but  a  zeal  to 
promote  the  prosperity  of  the  Church,  could  sug- 
gest, and  a  humble  confidence  in  the  presence  and 
approbation  of  my  Divine  Master,  could  have  ena- 
bled me  to  sustain." 

"  The  experiment  has  been  made  ;  and  while  con- 
curring events  in  Providence,  indicate  that  the  place 
in  wliich  the  Institution  is  now  fixed  is  not  the  most 
eligible,  it  has  served  at  length  to  arouse  the  pub- 


J^EW-BRUNSWICK.  433 

lie  mind,  and  excite  efforts  to  make  suitable  ar- 
rangements for  an  honourable  and  permanent  estab- 
lishment. If  this  object  may  be  attained, — ^if  this 
end  may  be  effected  by  my  coming  here,  I  shall  be 
finally  reconciled  to  the  losses  and  griefs  I  have  sus- 
tained, and  will  consider  my  sufferings  and  labours 
to  be  crowned  with  ultimate  success.  Nothing, 
therefore,  upon  my  part  can  arise  to  frustrate  you, 
and  the  faithful  friends  who  associate  with  you,  in 
the  plan  for  removing  the  Institution  to  New-York." 

"  Last  summer,  when  nothing  but  mere  conver- 
sation for  bringing  the  Theological  College  to 
New- York  had  yet  taken  place,  1  expressed,  with- 
out the  least  reserve,  my  approbation  to  have  an 
Institution  erected  at  Schenectady,  especially  if  it 
could  be  exclusively  effected  by  the  northern  inte- 
rest. If  it  must  sink  at  Brunswick,  I  would  wish  it 
to  arise  any  where,  rather  than  to  witness  its  total 
failure.  But  I  have  not  committed  myself  by  any 
promise,  either  express  or  implied.  I  said  to  them 
in  the  north,  as  I  say  to  those  in  the  south,  that  I 
will  wait  to  see  what  the  Lord  may  please  to  do  in 
behalf  of  this  work :  and  wherever  and  whenever  I 
may  be  convinced  it  is  his  will  I  should  remove,  I 
feel  ready  and  disposed  to  go  ;  but  without  such 
conviction,  I  shall  assuredly  remain  where  I  am." 

"The  communication  you  made  invour  last  e^ 

55 


4S4  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

teemed  letter  is  very  interesting  and  acceptable. 
You,  and  your  worthy  associates,  well  know  the 
magnitude  of  the  object ;  you  fully  estimate  what 
is  honourable  and  safe,  and  I  am  confident  the 
Committee  will  propose,  and  all  will  adopt  the 
most  prudent,  effectual,  and  speedy  measures  for 
accomplishing  the  plan. — My  prayers  are  for  you, 
and  I  trust  and  am  sure,  that  my  God  will  bless 
whatever  shall  be  subservient  to  his  glory,  and  for 
the  best  interests  of  his  church.  Goon,  and  pros- 
per !  The  Lord  be  with  you  all,  and  honour  you 
in  being  made  his  instruments  to  promote  his  glori- 
ous work  !" 

*'  My  children  unite  in  love  to  you  and  your  dear 
family.     I  bless  you  and  all  your's,  and  am  ever 
Your  faithful  friend  and  servant, 

"  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 

"  L  L.  Kip  Esq." 

In  another  to  the  same  individual,  dated  Jan.  28, 
1817,  he  further  observed,  "The  details  of  the 
proceedings  of  yourself  and  worthy  associates, 
excited  my  admiration,  and  prompted  an  adoring 
view  of  the  procedures  of  Divine  Providence.  I 
know  that  the  Lord  will  fulfil  his  gracious  designs 
of  good  and  prosperity  to  our  Reformed  Church. 
There  are  permanent  and  large  blessings  in  store. 
I  have  waited  long  to  see  and  reahze  them.     If  the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  436 

Steps  I  have  taken  shall  prove  the  means  of  exci- 
ting his  people  to  exert  themselves  ;  if  they  shall 
ultimately  lead  to  that  point  of  prosperit},  which 
will  be  an  answer  to  our  prayers  and  hopes,  my 
soul  will  rejoice,  and  the  long  train  of  privations, 
self-denial,  and  species  of  martyrdom  I  have  suffer- 
ed, will  be  abundantly  compensated  in  the  pros- 
perity of  our  precious  Zion." 

At  his  own  request,  the  whole  plan  which  his 
friends  in  New- York  had  adopted  in  this  interest- 
ing affair,  was  soon  after  laid  before  him  ;  but  to 
some  parts  of  it  he  was  strongly  opposed,  particu-' 
larly  to  one  which  related  to  the  formation  of  a 
Board  of  Trustees,  to  have  the  charge  and  control 
of  the  moneys  that  might  be  raised.  In  his  letters 
upon  this  exceptionable  point,  he  maintained  with 
great  force  of  argument,  and  great  zeal,  the  ability 
and  the  right  of  General  Synod  to  manage  their 
own  pecuniary  concerns,  without  the  intervention 
or  superintendence  of  a  Board  of  Trustees.  The 
plan  was  then  modified,  in  conformity  to  the  views 
he  had  expressed,  and  suitable  exertions  were 
made  to  obtain  such  an  amount  of  subscriptons 
under  it,  as  would  give  it  a  claim  to  the  serious 
attention  of  the  Synodi 

The  next  May,  he  wrote  his  friend  as  follows  — 
"■  With  much  satisfaction,  I  noticed  in  your  esteem 


4$6  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

• 

ed  letter,  the  great  exertions  you  have  made,  and 
what  you  intend  still  to  do.  Your  subscriptions 
are  indeed  thus  far,  very  great,  and  a  good  index 
to  your  prospects.  I  know  well  the  difficulty 
which  you  have  experienced  in  bringing  forward 
this  arduous  business,  even  thus  far.  Nothing  has 
certainly  been  neglected  upon  your  part ;  and 
whatever  may  be  the  issue  in  Divine  Providence  ; 
whether  it  shall  be  judged  safe  and  expedient  to 
remove  the  institution  to  ^jew-York,  upon  the  pro- 
visional proposals  which  are  now  suggested; — or  to 
continue  it  where  it  still  is  at  New-Brunswick,  you 
will  assuredly  not  lose  your  strenuous  labours,  nor 
your  gracious  reward.  It  will  be  said  of  you,  as 
of  David, — ■'  For  as  much  as  it  was  in  thine  heart  to 
build  an  house  for  my  name,  thou  didst  well,  in  that 
it  was  in  thine  heart."  The  Lord,  I  hope,  wiU  bless 
you  for  this,  whatever  may  be  the  issue  ;  and  I  trust 
the  spirit  which  is  now  aroused,  will  prompt  all 
who  wish  to  build  that  house,  to  unite  with  vigour 
and  zeal  in  promoting  the  institution,  whether  it 
shall  remain  where  it  now  is,  or  be  removed. — It  is 
a  great  and  common  cause.  No  partial  views  or 
objects  can  be  consulted,  or  will  be  admitted. 
Divine  Providence  will  fix  the  point ;  and  in  that 
point,  wherever  it  may  be,  all  our  combined  efforts? 
without  farther  distraction  or  division  of  sentiment, 
must  cordially  concentrate.  For  myself,  free  from 
all  prejudice,  or  private  interest,  I  wiU  wait  to  see 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  437 

what  our  Divine  Redeemer  will  direct  his  Church 
to  determine  ;  and  in  that  determination,  I  shall, 
through  grace,  calmly  acquiesce."  ^ 

The  General  S3Tiod  at  their  meeting  in  June,  of 
this  year  (1817,)  had  the  application  of  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  of  Albany,  and  that  of  the  New-  Y  ork  As- 
sociation, duly  presented  for  their  consideration. 
With  respect  to  the  first,  it  was  resolved,  for  reasons 
stated  in  the  preamble  to  the  resolution — "  That 
the  request  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  to 
estabhsh  a  Theological  School  within  their  bounds, 
is  altogether  inexpedient,and  therefore  be  not  grant- 
ed." Touching  the  second, — as  the  proposals  with 
which  it  was  connected,  of  support  to  the  Seminary, 
in  case  of  its  being  transferred  to  New- York,  were 
considered  liberal,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to 
ascertain  whether  the  Trustees  would,  "in  case  of 
said  removal,  consent  to  devote  the  proceeds  of  the 
moneys  already  put  into  their  hands  in  trust  by  the 
General  Synod,  and  the  proceeds  of  the  moneys 
donated  by  the  late  Rev.  Elias  Van  Bunschooten,* 
so  far  as  they"  could   **  do  it  consistently  with 


*The  Rev.  Elias  Van  Bunschooten,  a  pious  and  venerable 
father  of  the  Church,  in  the  year  1814,  made  a  liberal  donation  to 
the  Trustees  of  Queen's  College,  which  was  afterwards  increased* 
by  a  bequest  contained  in  his  last  will  and  testament.  The  do- 
nation and  legacy  amounted  to  upwards  of  $17,000,  which  sum  i? 
was  his  request  should  be  put  out  at  interest  by  a  joint  commit- 


438  HEVV-BRUNSWICK. 

the  terms  of  his  original  grant,  to  the  support  of  the 
school  in  New- York,  or  in  any  other  place,  in  which 
General  Synod  think  it  may  be  most  prosperously 
supported." 

But,  notwithstanding  the  appointment  of  this 
Committee,  the  friends  of  a  removal  were  pretty 
well  convinced,  it  would  appear,  by  what  they  had 
seen  and  heard  in  the  Synod,  that  their  apphcation 
would  not  succeed.  For,  in  answer  to  a  letter  which 
he  had  received  from  his  esteemed  correspondent, 
a  few  weeks  after  the  adjournment  of  Synod,  the 
Doctor  thus  wrote — "  Your  observations  upon  the 
situation  of  our  institution,  are  prudent  and  weighty. 
The  enumeration  of  so  many  formidable  '  nothings' 


tee  from  the  Trustees  and  the  General  Synod,  "  for  the  support 
and  education  in  the  classical  and  theological  studies,  of  pious 
youth,  who  hope  they  have  a  call  of  God,  to  preach  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ," — if  recommended  by  the  General  Synod. 

To  testify  their  respect  for  the  memory  of  this  excellent  ser- 
vant of  Christ,  and  their  gratitude  for  his  pious  liberality,  the  Ge- 
neral Synod  in  1817,  appointed  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Dr. 
Livingston  and  Rev.  Messieurs  Peter  Labagh  and  Charles  Har- 
denburgh,  to  have  his  remains  removed  from  the  place  where 
they  had  been  deposited,  at  his  death,  to  the  Cemetery  of  the  Re- 
formed Protestant  Dutch  Church  in  the  city  of  New-Brunswick, 
and  to  have  a  monumental  stone,  with  an  appropriate  inscription, 
erected  over  them.     Th.e  commission  was  fulfilled. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  439 

suggests  serious  discouragements,  and  raises  pros- 
pects not  very  flattering  to  those  who  fervently 
wish  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  Church. 
A  divided  sentiment  in  regard  to  the  best  means, 
and  most  of  all,  a  lukewarm  zeal  for  obtaining  the 
great  end  in  view,  have  hitherto  paralyzed  every 
effort  in  this  great  business.  Our  forlorn  Zion  may 
surely  adopt  the  sad  complaint  of  the  Prophet — 
*'Thereisnone  to  guide  her  among  all  the  sons  whom 
she  hath  brought  forth  ;  neither  is  there  any  that 
taketh  her  by  the  hand,  of  all  the  sons  that  she  hath 
brought  up."  The  people  are  universally  able  and 
willing  to  give,  but  there  is  no  uniform,  no  efficient 
planlaid  before  them,  to  concentrate  their  offerings." 

**  But  if  all  other  exertions,  when  laid  in  the  ba- 
lance, should  ultimately  amount  to  "  nothing,"  let 
not  that  reproachful  term  be  inscribed  upon  your 
noble  design.  Go  on.  You  have  proceeded  too 
far  now  to  recede.  Only  let  it  be  in  Christian  for- 
bearance, and  perfect  good  humour,  while  you  ad- 
here scrupulously  to  the  established  old  maxim, — 
that  in  every  question,  the  majority  must  always  de- 
cide. If  all  our  works  be  done  in  love,  and  with 
mutual  confidence,  they  will  certainly  end  well. 
Terrific  and  appalling  as  every  thing  respecting 
our  valuable  establishment  at  the  present  moment 
may  appear,  my  hope  and  expectation  are  not  re- 


440  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

ducedto  despair.  All  these  fearful  nothings  will 
yet  produce  a  something  that  shall  gladden  our 
hearts,  and  bring  down  blessings  upon  our  children* 
The  Lord  reigneth.  There  are  prayers  before  the 
throne  of  ancient  date,  which  are  not  yet  answer- 
ed, but  will  most  assuredly  prevail.  The  Shep* 
herd  of  Israel  will  watch  over  his  flock,  and  raise  up 
such  helpers  as  shall  unite  in  sentiment,  and  prove 
successful  in  accomplishing  his  high  purposes.  And 
I  wish  to  persevere  in  considering  you  and  your 
worthy  associates,  as  standing  among  the  foremost 
of  such  helpers.  There  I  rest  my  hope.  I  know 
we  must  be  active  and  faithful  in  the  use  of  suitable 
means,  and  that  the  whole  disposal  of  them  is  of 
the  Lord.  I  wait  to  experience  his  mercy.  I  am 
deeply  interested  in  the  result.  I  have  made  great- 
er sacrifices  to  advance  this  establishment  than  any 
other  individual,  and  all  my  comforts  and  usefulness 
are  at  stake." 

"As  to  my  private  sentiments,  although  they  are 
matured,  as  it  regards  what  I  esteem  the  best  place 
for  the  Institution,  and  the  most  productive  me- 
thods for  bringing  it  to  perfection,  yet  I  cheerfully 
submit  to  the  decision  of  the  majority  of  my  bre- 
thren, and  without  obstinately  insisting  that  others 
shall  think  exactly  as  I  do,  I  will  cheerfully  acqui- 
esce and  co-operate  with  them, — wherever,  by  such 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  441 

indications  in  his  holy  Providence,  the  Lord  shall 
convince  me  that  I  must  go  or  remain,  there  shall 
be  my  dwelling." 

In  another  letter,  dated  Oct.  1,  1817,  there  is  the 
following  paragraph:  "Yesterday,  and  the  day  be- 
fore, the  Board  of  Trustees  here  have  been  in  ses- 
sion, and  formed  such  decisions  as  in  their  wisdom 
they  judged  proper. — I  intended  to  give  you  the 
sum  of  their  deliberations  and  resolutions  ;  and, 
indeed,  waited  with  my  answer  to  your  kind  letter 
for  that  purpose.  But  an  authenticated  copy  is 
ordered  to  be  communicated  to  the  conferring  com- 
mittee, and  I  believe  our  worthy  friend  Isaac  Heyer, 
who  returns  this  day,  has  the  copy.  I  refer  you, 
therefore,  to  that  document,  and  to  his  observations. 
The  Lord,  I  trust,  will  overrule  the  various  efforts 
of  the  friends  of  our  Zion,  for  good  ;  and  the  differ- 
ent views,  with  respect  to  the  means  which  have 
prevailed  among  those  who  equally  aim  at  the  same 
end,  will  be  made  ultimately  to  produce  the  great 
and  desired  object." 

The  Synod  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment,  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  present  month,  and  put  the  ques- 
tion relative  to  a  removal  of  the  school  at  rest. — 
The  Trustees  had  refused  to  give  their  consent  to 

such  removal,  and  so  long  as  that  consent  was  de- 

56 


442  KEW-BRUNSWICK. 

nied,  the  Synod  believed  that  their  covenant  with 
the  Board,  required  the  continuance  of  the  Institu- 
tion at  New-Brunswick.  This  being  their  view  of 
the  obhgation  of  the  covenant,  the  apphcation  from 
New- York  was,  of  course,  dismissed ;  and  would 
have  been  dismissed,  no  doubt,  had  the  promises 
of  support  been  ever  so  liberal  and  satisfactory. 

When  apprized  of  the  result,  which,  if  not  alto- 
gether unexpected,  it  is  probable,  was  not  alto- 
gether the  most  pleasing  one  that  could  have  hap- 
pened, the  Doctor  showed  no  uneasiness — ex- 
pressed no  disapprobation ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
appeared  to  be  quite  satisfied,  and  evinced  the 
same  generous  devotedness  and  zeal,  that  had  here- 
tofore marked  the  whole  of  his  conduct. 

A  short  extract  from  a  letter  to  his  friend  in  New- 
York,  written  Nov.  15th,  1817,  must  here  be  pre 
sented  :  "  I  have  not  yet  seen  any  copy  of  the  acts 
of  the  last  adjourned  Synod,  but  I  understand  it 
was  the  full  and  decisive  resolution  of  the  mem- 
bers to  estabhsh  the  Theological  Institution  at  New- 
Brunswick,  while  strenuous  exertions  are  to  be  made 
for  obtaining  a  necessary  support.  What  those  ex- 
ertions are  to  be,  and  whether  they  will  prove  pro- 
ductive and  sufficient,  I  do  not  know.  But  it  seems, 
that  in  the  present  situation  of  the  Institution,  an 


XEW-BEUNSWICK.  443 

honourable  opening  is  now  before  you,  and  your 
pious  associates,  to  do  something  that  will  be  good 
and  great,  and  independent  of  precarious  contin- 
gencies, whatever  may  be  the  issue  of  the  present 
efforts,  and  wherever  the  Institution  may  be  final- 
ly fixed. — I  will  not  mention  to  what  I  refer,  but 
cheerfully  leave  to  yourself  the  honour  of  first  sug- 
gesting, as  well  as  accompUshing,\the  whole  of 
such  a  noble  and  generous  plan.     I  will  only  say, 
it  would  add  a  wreath  of  reputation  to  your  name, 
and,  what  is  of  infinitely  higher  importance,  it  would 
make  glad  the  city  of  our  God.     The  whole  might 
be  brought  to  perfection,  notwithstanding  any  ob- 
jections from  different  interests,  and  even  could  be 
put  into  operation  immediately.     And  when  thus 
accomplished,  might  be    afterwards,  v«^ith    more 
splendid  effect,  presented  to  the  Synod,  with  an 
assurance   of  their    approbation,   gratitude,    and 
praise." 

And  in  another,  dated  March  3d,  1818,  he  ob- 
served, "  What  a  kind  Providence  will  yet  effect  in 
favour  of  our  important  Institution,  and  what  will 
be  the  final  result  of  the  different  opinions  of  those, 
who  are  all  equally  united  in  wishing  to  promote 
its  highest  interests,  I  do  not  know.  He  who  has 
all  hearts  under  his  almighty  control,  who  loves  his 
Church  more  than  we  do,  and  whose  thoughts  are 


444  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

not  as  our  thoughts,  will  assuredly  take  care  of  his 
own  cause,  and  make  all  work  for  good.  The  tri- 
butary streams  of  various  opinions,  will  finally  con- 
centrate, and  an  union  of  strength  and  prosperity 
crown  the  faithful  wishes,  and  strenuous  efforts  of 
his  dear  people." 


Thus  much  of  his  correspondence  upon  this  sub- 
ject has  been  submitted,  because  it  was  deemed 
important  to  exhibit  precisely  the  course  he  adop- 
ted, in  all  proceedings  that  affected,  or  were  likely 
to  affect,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  an  Institution 
in  which  both  the  Church  and  himself  had  so  deep 
an  interest;  and  it  is  presumed,  that  no  reader  who 
has  perused  it  with  attention,  can  cherish  in  rela- 
tion to  that  course,  throughout,  any  other  opinion 
than  that  it  was  in  a  high  degree  consistent  with  his 
profession  and  station — disinterested,  magnani- 
mous, praiseworthy. 

From  this  time,  the  dear,  venerable  man,  seemed 
to  consider  the  school  as  permanently  fixed  at 
New-Brunswick ;  and  no  new  attempts  were  made 
to  locate  it  elsewhere.* 

*  The  General  Synod  of  this  year,  (1818)  elected  the  Rev. 
Tho.  De  Witt,  to  succeed  the  late  Dr.  Schureman,  as  Professor 
of  Biblical  Literature  and  Ecclesiastical  History ; — ^the  appoint- 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  445 

Early  in  the  ensuing  autumn,  death  again  enter- 
ed his  dwelling,  and  removed  from  him  one  of  his 
grand-daughters,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  B.  Hoff, 
in  the  twenty-second  year  of  her  age. — Of  this 
afflictive  event,  he  gave  a  hasty  account  to  his  friend 
Mr.  K — ,the  same  day  it  occurred,  in  the  following 
letter : — 

"  New-Brunswick,  Sep.  18th,  1818. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  After  indulging  the  hope,  that  our  precious 
Sarah  was  gradually  revivhig  from  her  tedious  in- 
disposition, and  would  again  enjoy  her  former 
health,  a  decisive  event  has  prostrated  our  fond 
expectation,  and  finished  what  appertained  to  my 
amiable  child.  In  the  course  of  last  week,  she 
evidently  began  to  lose  strength ;  yet  her  vigour 
and  cheerfulness  struggled  against  disease,  and 
prevented  her  from  complaining.  Our  fears  were 
not  yet  alarmed.    Yesterday  morning  she  sat  at 

ment,  however,  was  not  accepted.  In  consequence  of  the  decli- 
nature of  the  Professor  elect,  the  Board  of  Superintendents  deem- 
ed it  their  duty  to  provide  temporary  instructors ; — they  accor- 
dingly appointed  the  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon,  to  teach  Ecclesias= 
tical  History,  Church  Government,  and  Pastoral  Theology  ;  and 
Mr.  John  S.  Mabon,  to  teach  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  languages, 
— the  services  of  these  gentlemen,  in  their  respective  depart- 
ments, gave  great  satisfaction. 


446  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

breakfast  with  us,  but  soon  laid  down,  to  rise  tio 
more  in  this  life.  During  the  evening  and  night 
she  was  rapidly  declining,  and  this  morning  at  day- 
light, without  a  struggle,  groan,  or  motion,  she  gently 
fell  asleep  in  the  Lord.  I  never  saw  a  death  so 
easy  and  tranquil.  Her  reason  continued  to  the 
last  moment.  She  could  speak  but  little  ;  but  all, 
I  trust,  was  well." 

"You  can  judge  of  our  feelings.  Mr.  H.  is  sup- 
ported  through  grace,  in  his  grief.  The  children  are 
overwhelmed  with  sorrow.  My  heart  is  pierced ;  but 
I  trust  the  Lord  will  uphold  and  comfort  us  in  our  dis- 
tress. I  drop  this  line  to  communicate  the  event,  and 
because  I  know  you  sincerely  sympathize  with  us." 

"  We  send  our  tender  love  to  you  and  the  family. 
I  bless  you  and  all  yours,  and  am,  most  affection- 
ately, my  dear  friend, 

"  Your  servant  and  friend, 

"J.H.LIVINGSTON." 

To  this  painful  dispensation  of  Divine  Providence, 
soon  succeeded  another  of  a  similar  nature,  in  the 
decline  and  death  of  his  second  grand-daughter,  and 
the  only  companion  he  had  left.  Under  date  of 
February  6th,  1819,  he  again  wrote: — "My  dear 
Eliz  a  is  daily  consuming.  She  is  reduced  to  a  mere 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  447 

skeleton.  Her  power  of  digestion  appears  to  be 
wholly  lost.  The  sustenance  she  receives  is  little 
or  nothing.  It  is  astonishing  that  with  so  little  food 
she  still  survives.  We  have  cause  to  fear  that  some 
sudden  prostration  of  her  little  remaining  strength, 
will  close  the  scene.  Yet  she  sits  up,  walks  through 
the  house,  and  is  with  us  at  the  table  ;  but  she  ap- 
pears sensible  of  her  situation,  and  I  hope  and  pray 
the  Lord  will  prepare  my  precious  child  for  her 
great  change.  She  is  my  only  remaining  com- 
panion in  my  family  here,  and  the  dispensation  of 
Providence  is  severely  felt : — My  heart  replies, — 
It  is  my  Father — It  is  my  Saviour — His  blessed 
will  be  done.  It  is  all  right.  He  does  all  things 
well.  O,  if  my  name  be  written  in  the  Book  of 
Life  !" — And  in  April,  he  communicated  the  sad 
tidings  of  her  departure. 

"New-Brunswick,  April 5th,  1819. 
*'  My  dear  Friend, 

"  The  scene  has  closed.  My  dear  Eliza  rests. 
She  died  this  morning,  at  ten  o'clock.  Without  a 
struggle,  or  the  least  apparent  agon}^,  she  gently 
sunk  into  the  bosom  of  her  Divine  Shepherd  and 
Saviour.  Her  mind  has  been  uniformly  serene. 
She  knew  her  change  was  approaching,  but  was 
not  terrified.    Without  fear  or  unbelief,  she  seemed 


448  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

cheerfully  to  commit  her  departmg  spirit  into  the 
hands  of  the  precious  Jesus.*' 

"  I  send  my  love  to  you  and  all  yours.  Remem- 
ber me  at  the  throne  of  grace.  I  have  only  time  to 
bless  you,  and  assure  you  that 

"  I  am  yours, 

"J.  H.LIVINGSTON." 

The  Lord  had  now  added  grief  to  his  sorrow ; 
but  the  Lord,  nevertheless,  was  his  strength  and 
his  fortress,  and  his  refuge  in  the  day  of  affliction.* 
The  foregoing  letters  afford  pleasing  evidence  of 
the  exercise  of  pious  resignation  and  strong  faith 
under  these  repeated  and  heav)^  strokes,  which  his 
Heavenly  Father,  in  covenant  love,  had  dealt  out  to 
him,  to  mature  him  for  heaven.  And  who  can  pic- 
ture to  himself  this  servant  of  Christ,  at  seventy- 
three  years  of  age,  bereft  of  wife  and  children,  yet 
composed — exercising  a  firm  confidence  in  God — 
filled  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing — and  talking 
sweetly  of  heavenly  things,  even  while  the  smart 
of  the  bereavement  is  keenly  felt,  and  not  desire 
and  pray  that  he  may  experience,  if'  he  be  a  stranger 
to  it, — the  power  of  that  Religion,  whose  precious 

*  Jer.  45,  3,  and  16—19. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  441^ 

consolations  can  so  sustain  the  soul,  when  earthly 
comforts  fail,  yea,  wheii  flesh  and  heart  themselves 
fail!  Happy,  indeed,  is  he  that  hath  the  God  of 
Jacob  for  his  help,  whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his 
God.* 

The  Doctor,  though  deeply  sensible  of  the  loss 
of  these  objects  of  his  tender  affection,  and  though 
often  indisposed  by  reason  of  the  increasing  infirmi- 
ties of  age,  was  enabled  to  continue,  without  inter- 
ruption of  any  consequence,  the  discharge  of  his 
professoral  duties. 

The  Board  of  Superintendents,  in  their  report 
of  this  year,  in  speaking  of  him,  thus  expressed 
themselves  : — "  With  gratitude  to  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church,  the  Board  inform  Synod,  that  the 
health  und  usefulness  of  their  venerable  professor 
Livingston,  are  still  continued;  and  that  at  his  advan- 
ced age,  he  is,  with  his  usual  devotedness  and  abili- 
ty, blessing  the  Church,  by  communicating  to  her 
successive  ministers  that  theological  information, 
for  which  he  is  so  eminently  distinguished."  They 
further  stated,  that  they  had  "  respectfully  request- 
ed the  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston  to  publish  his  Lectures, 
as  a  measure  calculated  to  be  of  vast  advantage  to 


*  Psalms,  146—5. 
57 


450  XEW-BRUNSWICK. 

the  students,  to  the  Institution,  and  to  the  Church 
at  large."  This  was  bestowing  a  very  high  enco- 
mium upon  his  system  of  divinity  ;  and  it  will  not 
be  supposed  that  gentlemen  of  respectable  theolo- 
gical attainments  themselves,  who  had  the  oversight 
of  the  Institution,  and  attended  the  regular  examina- 
tions of  the  students,  were  not  competent  judges  of 
the  peculiar  merits  of  that  system ; — but  the  re- 
quest was  not  complied  with,  and  this  is  much  to 
be  regretted.* 

The  desire  of  seeing  this  school  suitably  endow- 
ed, and  estabhshed  before  he  should  be  taken  from 
the  Church,  prompted  him  the  following  year,  to 
make  one  more  effort  to  awaken  some  zeal  in  its 
favour.  In  a  late  letter  to  his  friend,  who  has  been 
so  often  mentioned,  he  observed — "  It  is  said  the 
night  is  darkest  just  before  daylight.  With  the  open- 

*  At  the  close  of  their  Report,  the  Board  expressed  a  wish  that 
the  vacant  professorships  might  be  filled  as  soon  as  possible. 
The  Synod  accordingly  proceeded  forthwith  to  fill  one  of  them, 
and  elected  the  Rev.  (now  Dr.)  John  Ludlow,  the  Professor  of 
Biblical  Literature,  and  Ecclesiastical  History.  This  gentleman 
discharged  the  duties  of  his  office  with  distinguished  ability,  and 
vv-ith  the  full  confidence  of  all  the  churches  in  his  growing  useful- 
ness, until  1823,  when,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  Synod,  he  consi- 
dered it  his  duty  to  accept  a  call  which  he  had  received  from  the 
North  Dutch  Church  of  Albany.  The  Rev.  (now  Dr.)  John  De 
Witt  was  then  chosen  his  successor. 


NJiW-BRUNSVVICK.  451 

ing  dawn,  the  gloom  and  shades  will  be  dispersed. 
I  hope  against  hope,  and  am  assured  that  I  shall  not 
be  confounded  or  ashamed  with  the  result.  Why 
some  withdraw  their  subscription,  and  the  most 
appear  discouraged  or  lukewarm,  I  do  not  know. 
I  leave  it  in  his  hand,  and  to  his  holy  disposal,  who 
will  finish  his  own  work,  and  do  all  things  well." 

Under  the  influence  of  this  confidence,  that  the 
work  was  of  the  Lord,  and  would  not  be  suffered 
to  fail,  he  again  wrote  to  the  same  person,  some 
time  after,  in  a  letter  bearing  date  Dec.  21,  1820. 
— "  It  certainly  can  answer  no  purpose  to  waste 
our  time  and  strength  in  lamentations,  or  to  expect 
that  mere  talking  and  forming  plans,  without  put- 
ting them  in  execution,  will  ever  produce  the  great 
end  in  view.  It  was  a  wise  measure  in  the  Synod 
to  form  a  Board,  in  whose  wisdom  and  energy  the 
great  concerns  of  the  Theological  Institution  should 
be  vested ;  and  better  men  could  not  be  found,  than 
those  who  constitute  that  corporation.  But  what 
have  these  good  men  effected  ?  The  dispute  and 
contest  with  the  Trustees  of  Queen's  College  have, 
indeed,  been  carried  on,  and  it  is  not  yet  decided. 
But,  after  all,  what  is  the  amount  of  this  whole  dis- 
pute ?  What  is  the  paltry  sum  the  Trustees  assert 
to  be  liquidated  ?  And,  indeed,  what  is  their  whole 
fund,  and  even  the  Van  Bunschooten  legacy,  which 


4)52  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

is  out  upon  bonds  that  are  not  paid  ? — The  whole, 
all  that  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees,  if  it  was  all 
put  into  your  hands,  would  be  but  a  drop  of  the 
bucket ;  it  would  not  be  sufficient  to  support  one 
professorship.  Would  it  not  be  better,  instead  of 
spending  your  time  and  energy  in  prosecuting  this 
dispute,  to  form  some  enlarged  plans  for  creating 
and  enlarging  a  substantial  fund  ?" 

"  The  only  foundation  upon  which  a  public  in- 
stitution can  safely  rest,  is  a  fixed  fund  whose 
interest  will  be  equal  to  the  support.  To  depend 
upon  cent  societies,  and  occasional  contributions,  is 
futile  and  uncertain.  The  plan  to  be  adopted  is  to 
raise  that  fund ;  but  how  to  raise  it  is,  indeed,  the 
question.  Our  brethren,  the  Presbyterians,  raise  it, 
and  we  might  raise  it  in  the  same  way.  They 
employ  agents.  Their  Synods  resolve  to  raise  a 
professorship,  which  requires  $25,000,  and  they 
have  raised  it.  And  we  can  do  the  same  ;  if  our 
corporation  will  exert  their  influence  and  energy, 
employ  agents,  and  recommend  each  Synod  to 
raise  one  professorship,  it  will  be  done.  We  have 
sufficient  strength  of  members  and  of  wealth  to 
accomphsh  every  thing  that  is  necessary ;  but  they 
must  be  directed,  and  efficacious  plans  formed  and 
executed,  to  bring  their  strength  and  wealth  to 
their  proper  point.     *     *     *     But,  surely,  in  the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  45S 

city  of  New- York,  on  Long  Island,  and  here,  in  the 
Jerseys,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Synod  of  New- 
York,  we  might  find  twenty  men  who  would  give  or 
loan  $250  to  the  Synod,  and  one  hundred  more  who 
would  give  $100,  and  so  down  to  lower  sums,  by 
which  we  might  form  an  aggregate  of  $25,000  :  at 
any  rate,  we  ought  vigorously  to  make  the  trial.  * 
*  *  *  Unless  more  energetic  measures  are 
taken,  than  have  been  during  the  present  year, 
a  dissolution  of  the  Institution  must  inevitably 
follow." 

This  was  the  last  measure,  it  is  believed,  the 
pious  father  suggested  to  save  from  ruin,  and  place 
upon  a  firm  foundation,  an  institution  which  had 
been  so  long  the  object  of  his  constant  and  prayer- 
ful solicitude,  and  the  prosperity  of  which  he  view- 
ed as  intimately  connected  with  the  prosperity  of 
the  Church,  and  the  glory  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom ; — and  this  last  measure  he  had  the  pleasure 
to  see  adopted,  and  crowned,  under  the  Divine 
blessing,  with  the  desired  success. 

In  1822,  it  was  represented  to  the  General  Sy- 
nod, that  certain  individuals,  members  of  the 
Church,  were  persuaded  "  that  one  hundred  sub- 
scribers might  be  obtained  for  $250  each,  for  the 
purpose  of  endowing  a  professorship  in  the  Theo- 


404  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

logical  College  ;"  and  a  committee  was  according- 
ly appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  to  the  object, 
who  prosecuted  the  work  assigned  them,  with  great 
diligence  and  zeal.  The  Doctor  opened  the  sub- 
scription-list with  his  own  name,  for  $500,  and 
at  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  it  appeared  that  a 
sum  sufficient  for  the  purpose  specified  had  been 
subscribed  in  the  southern  section  of  the  Church. 

Persons  were  then  appointed  to  endeavour  to 
procure  subscriptions  in  the  Synod  of  Albany,  for 
the  endowment  of  a  third  professorship,  and  the 
liberality  of  this  part  of  the  Church  proved  in  the 
end  fully  adequate  to  the  object  contemplated.  But 
the  Doctor  himself  saw  only  the  auspicious  com- 
mencement of  this  second  enterprise  in  the  good 
cause. — He  had  seen  enough,  however,  to  con- 
vince him  that  the  cause  had  triumphed, — that  this 
school  of  the  prophets,  would  no  longer  subsist  up- 
on a  scanty  and  precarious  charity,  but  would  be 
henceforth  amply  supported,  and  remain  for  ages 
to  come,  a  fountain,  whence  should  issue  streams  to 
make  glad  the  city  of  God.  His  expectations, 
therefore  were  not  finally  disappointed,  and  he  could 
now  go  down  to  the  grave,  assured  that  he  had  not 
laboured  in  vain. — As  a  courageous,  persevering, 
skilful  commander,  falls  upon  the  field  of  combat ; 
— when,  after  many  arduous  struggles — after  many 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  455 

disheartening  repulses — after  trying'to  no  purpose, 
apparently,  all  plans  which  his  ingenuity  could  de- 
vise for  accomphshing  his  object ; — when,  hoping 
against  hope — ready  to  give  up  all  as  lost,  and  just 
at  the  point  of  death,  he  hears  at  last  the  thrilling 
shout  of  victory,  and  exclaims,  lean  depart  in  peace, 
all  is  well.* 


*  Since  the  death  of  Dr.  Livingston,  the  literary  exercises  of 
the  institution,  (now  called  Rutger's  College,  in  honour  of  a  distin- 
guished citizen  of  New- York,  well  known  for  his  patriotism,  piety, 
and  munificence)  have  been  revived  by  the  General  Synod  ;  and 
under  the  auspices  of  the  pious  and  learned  Dr.  Milledoler,  the  Pre- 
sident and  Divinity-Professor,  and  of  his  two  able  colleagues,  Drs 
John  Dewitt,and  James  S.Cannon,  (appointed  a  professor  in  1826) 
with  their  associates,  a  professor  of  languages,  and  a  professor  of 
mathematics,  both  highly  distinguished  for  their  talents  and  com- 
petency in  their  respective  departments,  the  institution  is  rapidly 
gaining  a  rank  among  the  most  celebrated  schools  m  the  country. 
It  ought  not  to  bo  forgotten,  however,  that  for  this  revival  of  the 
College,  the  Church  is  indebted,  in  no  small  degree,  to  the  talents 
and  enterprise  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Selah  S.  WoodhuU — a  man 
whom,  in  point  of  energy  of  mind,  and  zeal  and  perseverance  in 
the  prosecution  of  whatever  he  undertook,  few  excelled,  and 
whose  vigorous  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  college,  during  the  short 
period  he  was  connected  with  it,  as  well  as  his  many  able  services 
in  the  church  for  a  series  of  years,  ought  not  to  be  left  unnoticed 
in  this  Memoir.  And  the  writer,  having  thus  mentioned  the  name 
of  one  who  was  a  bosom  friend — a  name  he  never  can  mention 
without  very  tender  emotions — will  embrace  this  opportunity  to 
give  a  brief  sketch  of  his  short  but  useful  life. 


•W 


456  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

It  was  said  in  a  former  chapter,  that  the  Doctor 
patronised  some  benevolent   and    religious  soci- 

Dr.  WoodhuU  was  born  in  New-York,  Aug.  4,  1786.  Both  his 
parents  died  wh-^n  he  was  quite  young  ;  but,  though  only  12  years 
of  age  at  the  decease  of  his  father,  he  was  then  a  member  of  the 
Freshman  class  of  Columbia  College.  Upon  his  father's  death, 
he  was  removed  to  Yale  College,  New-Haven,  and  there  he  com- 
pleted his  collegiate  education.  Soon  after  he  was  graduated,  he 
commenced  the  study  of  theology  under  the  direction  of  his  uncle, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Woodhull,  of  Freehold,  N.  J. — and  such  was  the 
precocity  of  his  mind,  and  such  his  proficiency  in  his  professional 
studies,  that  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  New-Brunswick,  when  but  in  his  nineteenth  year.  His 
first  settlement  as  a  Pastor,  which  took  place  shortly  after  he  had 
received  licensure,  was  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Bound- 
brook,  N.  J.; — but  when  he  had  been  here  about  a  year,  he  was 
called  to  succeed  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Johnson,  who  had  died  a  short 
time  before,  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  Brooklyn,  L.  I* 
and  the  charge  of  this  flock  he  assumed  in  the  fall  of  1806. — Ha- 
ving a  singular  capacity  for  business,  he  became  in  a  little  time 
a  very  prominent  and  useful  member  of  the  Judicatories  of  the 
Church :  in  almost  all  the  important  arrangements  which  were 
made  with  respect  to  the  Theological  School,  after  its  removal  to 
New-Brunswick,  he  had  his  share  of  duty  to  perform,  and  he  per- 
formed it  in  a  manner  that  recommended  him  to  general  respect 
and  confidence.  For  many  years  he  was  the  able  and  indefatiga- 
ble Secretary  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  for  Domestic  Cor- 
respondence. 

Upon  the  endowment  of  the  third  professorship,  and  revival  of 
the  college,  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History, 
Church  Government,  and  Pastoral  Theology,  in  the  Theological 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  457 

eties  :  it  ought  to  be  further  stated  here,  that 
about  the  time  of  his  removing    to  New-Bruns- 

Seminary,  and  of  Metaphysics,  and  the  Philosophy  of  the  Human 
Mind,  in  the  College.  These  appointments  he  accepted  ;  and 
having  resigned  his  pastoral  charge,  and  the  office  he  held  in  the 
Bible  Society,  he  removed  to  iVevv-Brunswick  in  the  autumn  of 
1825.  For  the  business  now  assigned  him,  in  Providence,  he 
vi'as  well  qualified,  and  he  entered  upon  it  with  an  ardour  and  dili- 
gence, that  excited  great  hopes  of  his  future  usefulness  ;  but  these 
hopes  were  soon  extinguished  in  his  sudden  removal  by  death,  on 
the  27th  of  the  following  February.  He  died  of  a  prevailing 
epidemic,  in  the  fortieth  year  of  his  age — greatly  and  deservedly 
lamented. 

The  congregation  of  Brooklyn,  which  he  had  served  for  nine- 
teen years,  in  the  Gospel,  evinced  at  his  death,  by  a  liberal  gra- 
tuity to  his  widow,  the  sense  they  entertained  of  his  ministerial 
faithfulness  to  them  while  he  whs  their  pastor,  and  their  affection- 
ate regard  for  his  memory  ; — and  the  General  Synod,  when  con- 
vened in  extra-session,  in  consequence  of  the  event,  passed  the 
following  resolutions  : — "This  Synod  resolve,  that  while  they  hum- 
bly submit  to  the  inscrutable  Providence,  which  has  so  soon  and 
so  suddenly  called  him  away  from  those  important  stations,  ia 
the  prime  of  life,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  fairest  prospects  of  use- 
fulness, they  cannot  but  lament,  and  they  do  deeply  lament,  the 
loss  which  the  Institution  and  the  Church  have  sustained  in  his 
death.  And  as  the  piety,  talents,  and  acquirements  of  one  so 
highly  valued,  justly  claim  some  public  token  of  respect,  this 
Synod  further  resolve — To  have  placed  over  the  grave  of  Pro- 
fessor Woodhull,  a  neat,  plain  monument,  with  a  suitable  inscrip- 
tion, commemorative  of  his  character  and  worth." — This  latter 
resolve  has  been  executed,  and  the  inscription  upon  theston« 
reads  thus : — 

58 


458  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

wick,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Free  School 
Society  of  New- York,  and  subsequently  one  of  the 
Vice-Presidents  of  the  United  Foreign  Missionary 
Society — of  the  United  Domestic  Missionary  Soci- 
ety— and  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Reform- 
ed Dutch  Church. 

Relative  to  the  Dutch  M.  Society,  he  thus  ex- 
pressed his  sentiments  in  a  letter  to  his  friend,  dated 


To  the  Memory 

of  the 

Rev.  SELAH  S.  WOODHULL,  D.  D. 

Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History,  Church  Government,  and 

Pastoral  Theology,  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 

Reformed  Dutch  Church ;  and  of  Metaphysics 

and  the  Philosophy  of  the  Human  Mind,  in 

Rutgers'  College. 

For  nineteen  years,  he  was  the  acceptable 

Pastor  of  the  Refrrmed  Dutch  Church,  in  Brooklyn. 

Novetnber,  1825,  he  entered  upon  his  Professoral  Labours, 

and 

Pied  the  following  February,  on  the  27th  day  of  the  Month,  in  the 

Fortieth  year  of  his  age. 

Respected  for  his  Learning,  Piety,  Industry,  and  Zeal, 

His  sudden  removal  from  these  important  Stations,  is  deeply 

lamented.    As  a  tribute  to  his  worth, 

This  Tablet 

is  afiectionately  inscribed. 

By  an  unanimous  vote  of  the  General  Synod  of  the 

Reformed  Dutch  Church, 


"muff 


:mew-«runswick.  459 

January,  29th,  1822,  shortly  after  its  formation : 
"When  I  read  your  last  very  acceptable  and  aflfec- 
tionate  letter,  1  was  under  the  impression  that  you 
intended  soon  to  write  again,  and  explain  more 
minutely  the  constitution  and  the  contemplated 
operation  of  the  Missionary  Society  you  have 
lately  organized,  and  for  this  I  have  waited.  But 
it  seems  I  was  mistaken,  and  I  cannot  postpone 
any  longer  to  thank  you  for  the  communication,  and 
to  express  my  cordial  concurrence  in  what  has 
been  done.  While  all  the  orthodox  Churches  are 
constituent  parts  of  the  one  great  family  of  which 
our  Divine  Redeemer  is  the  glorious  Head  and 
Lord,  each  denomination  is  under  the  most  impe- 
rious obligation,  to  make  the  most  strenuous  exer- 
tions to  promote  his  cause ;  and  it  seems  this  can 
be  most  effectually  promoted  by  uniting  their  dis- 
tinct efforts  and  resources,  each  in  their  own  dis- 
tricts, but  all  subservient  to  the  same  end,  with 
mutual  love  and  fraternal  confidence,  without  dis- 
sension, opposition,  or  discord.  It  is  evidently 
upon  these  principles  you  have  proceeded  in  form- 
ing a  Society,  which  will  be  subservient  to  the 
common  interests  of  the  Gospel,  while  it  will  be 
under  a  control,  which  we  are  persuaded  will  in- 
sure the  prevalence  of  sound  doctrines,  and  enlarge 
the  boundaries  of  our  beloved  Church.  I  very  sin- 
cerely acquiesce  in  what  you  have  done,  and  thank 
you  for  the  place  you  have  given  me  in  the  direction^ 


460  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

and  very  cheerfully  assure  you,  that  I  shall  be  happy 
to  promote  its  success,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power."* 

*  This  useful  Society  was  formed  thVough  the  exertions  of  the 
late  Rev.  Paschal  N.  Strong,  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  Collegiate 
Dutch  Churches  in  New-York, — a  young  clergyman  of  more  than 
ordinary  talent,  and  a  zealous  friend  of  the  church. 

Mr.  Strong  was  born  on  Long  Island,  February  16,  1763 ;  and 
was  educated  in  Columbia  College,  New-York.  In  the  spring  of 
1815,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  and  July  14,  1816, 
he  was  ordained,  and  installed  as  one  of  the  collegiate  pastors  of 
the  Church  of  New-York.  In  this  station  he  continued  to  labour, 
until  arrested  by  the  hand  of  death.  He  died  in  the  island  of  St. 
Croix,  whither  he  had  gone  in  pursuit  of  health,  April  7,  1825,  of 
a  pulmonary  disease. 

The  following  notice  of  his  character  is  taken  from  the  conclu- 
sion of  a  sermon,  preached  on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Knox,  one  of  his  colleagues. 

"  His  disposition  was  amiable.  He  was  tenderly  attached 
to  his  family.  His  manners  were  courteous.  His  spirit  was  reso- 
lute and  generous  almost  to  a  fault.  His  mind  was  gifted  in  more 
than  an  ordinary  degree ;  and  his  opportunities  of  improvement 
were  not  neglected.  With  a  memory  peculiarly  tenacious, 
and  the  power  of  precise  and  accurate  discrimination,  for  one  of 
his  years,  his  attainments,  especially  in  classical  and  critical 
learning,  may,  without  exaggeration,  be  pronounced  eminent.  In 
scholarship  he  excelled,  aud  critical  research  was  with  him  a 
favourite  employment." 

"  He  wrote  with  elegance  and  force.  His  discourses  were 
clear,  accurate,  and  tasteful ;  his  style  copious  and  adorned  ;  bis 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  4G1 

The  American  Bible  Society,  moreover,  and  the 
Society  for  MeUorating  the  Condition  of  the  Jews, 
and  others,  designed  to  do  good  in  some  way, 
which  it  is  not  necessary  to  specify,  numbered  him 
among  their  supporters. 

To  the  important  object  of  the  Society  last  named, 
he  was  a  decided  and  zealous  friend,  but  his  views 
of  the  measures  which  ought  to  be  pursued  in  order 
to  attain  it,  differed  materially  from  those  of  a  majo- 
rity of  the  Directors,  who  then  contemplated,  as  they 
still  do,  the  establishment  of  a  colony  of  converted 
Jews  in  this  country.  Upon  this  subject,  he  address- 
ed a  long  letter  to  the  President  of  the  Society,  the 
late  Peter  Wilson,  LL.  D.  dated  July  24th,  1823, 
in  which  he  took  a  luminous  view  of  the  whole  ques- 
tion relative  to  the  best  plan  for  meliorating  the  con- 
dition of  the  Jews,  and  advanced  many  cogent  ar- 
guments to  prove  the  inexpediency  not  only,  but 
even  the  infeasibility  of  the  one  proposed ;  and  this 
letter,  though  written  when  in  the  78th  year  of  his 
age,  it  is  presumed,  will  be  generally  considered  a 
production  of  distinguished  ability.* 

A  number  of  facts  have  been  related  already, 


voice  melodious  ;  his  enunciation  easy  and  natural ;  his  preach- 
ing evangelical  and  faithful." 

*  The  letter  was  published  a  short  time  since  in  the  Magazine 
of  the  R.  D.  Church. 


462  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

which  have,  doubtless,  induced  in  the  mind  of  the 
reader  a  very  favourable  opinion  of  the  Doctor's 
personal  piety.  Toward  the  close  of  his  long  and 
useful  hfe,  it  is  proper  to  observe,  that  he  seemed 
habitually  to  converse  in  heaven,  to  forget  things 
which  were  behind,  and  to  reach  forth  unto  eternal 
things  in  prospect,  with  increased  ardour.*  In  his 
ordinary  intercourse  with  his  friends,  and  in  almost 
all  his  epistolary  correspondence  of  the  time,  there 
was  that  to  be  seen,  which  indicated  a  highly  devo- 
tional frame  of  spirit,  and  great  readiness  to  depart 
and  be  with  Christ. 

"  My  health  within  some  time  past,"  he  said  in  one 
letter,  "  is  greatly  advanced.  I  feel  free  from  those 
complaints  which,  during  the  past  year,  have  distress- 
ed me ;  and  my  soul  is  engaged,  more  than  ever 
before,  to  redeem  the  time  which  with  me  is  short ; 
to  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  my  bless- 
ed Lord  and  Saviour,  and  to  finish  my  course  with 
joy,  and  increased  faithfulness  and  usefulness."  In 
another — "For  myselt  I  feel  great  tranquillity 
respecting  the  issue.  My  course  is  proba- 
bly nearly  finished,  and  I  expect  and  hope  soon 
to  change  my  trials  and  tears,  my  sighs  and  conflicts, 
for  high  hallelujahs  and  perpetual  praises."  And 
in  another — "My  health  is  gradually  becoming 

*  Phil.  3. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  463 

better  and  more  confirmed,  j^et  I  feel  very  feeble, 
and  am  not  yet  restored  to  my  former  vigom*.  Per- 
haps I  never  shall  be.  It  is  all  right.  I  have  had 
a  long  day,  and  a  good  day  ;  and  if  at  evening  time 
it  shall  be  light,  the  mercy  will  be  great,  and  I  shall 
commit  my  departing  spirit  into  his  hand,  who  has 
redeemed  me,  without  distracting  fears  or  unbe- 
lieving doubts." 

An  additional  evidence  of  this  heavenly  temper 
of  mind,  is  given  in  the  following  memorandum, 
found  among  his  private  papers, — "  May  30,  1823. 
My-birth  day.  I  was  born  May  19,  Old  Style,  1746, 
and  am  this  day  seventy-seven  years  old.  I  have 
upon  this  solemn,  and  to  me,  very  interesting  period, 
set  apart  the  day  for  fasting,  and  prayer,  and  thanks- 
giving." 

"  After  renewing  my  covenant  with  God  my  Re- 
deemer, with  deep  humiliation  and  repentance,  my 
soul  found  peace,  and  I  was  helped  to  cast  all  my 
burthens  upon  the  Lord,  and  hope  in  his  salvation. 
I  have  never  passed  a  day  with  equal  fervency  of 
devotion,  and  my  exercises  closed  with  a  pointed 
appUcation  of  the  precious  promise,  Hosea  xiv,  4. 
I  will  heal  their  backslidings,  I  will  love  them  free- 
ly :  for  mine  anger  is  turned  away  from  him." 


464  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

''I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persua- 
ded that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  com- 
mitted unto  him,  against  that  day.  I  enter  upon  my 
seventy-eighth  year  with  humble  faith,  and  hope* 
and  love." 

For  another  year,  it  pleased  the  great  Head  of 
the  Church  to  preserve  the  health  of  his  servant, 
and  to  permit  him  to  continue  his  useful  labours. 
The  Board  of  Superintendents,  in  their  report  upon 
the  state  of  the  School,  for  the  year  ending  with 
May,  1824,  thus  express  themselves  in  part: — 
"  We  rejoice  with  thankful  hearts,  in  being  enabled 
to  state  to  General  Synod,  that,  under  the  smiles  of 
a  gracious  Providence,  the  Theological  College 
has  been  kept  in  successful  operation  through 
another  year,  and  the  prescribed  course  of  instruc- 
tion has  been  regularly,  diligently,  and  successfully 
pursued.  Through  divine  mercy,  the  life  of  our 
venerable  senior  Professor  has  been  spared,  and  so 
firm  has  his  health  been,  that,  in  his  seventy-eighth 
year,  he  has  been  enabled  to  attend  to  every  lec- 
ture in  its  season,  without  feeling  it  to  be  a  burden ; 
nay,  with  the  alacrity  and  delight  which  ordinarily 
belong  to  much  earher  hfe." 

His  health  remained  after  this  uniformly  good,  ^ 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  465 

until  about  the  commencement  of  the  following 
year. — He  then,  in  a  letter  to  his  son  of  Ja- 
nuary 6th,  1825,  complained  of  some  indisposi- 
tion, but  did  not  apprehend  it  to  be  of  a  serious 
nature  : — "  For  several  days  past,  I  have  had,  at 
times,  a  pain  in  my  left  side,  which  is  frequently 
severe,  and  afterwards  less  violent.  To  what  cause 
to  attribute  it,  or  what  name  to  give  it,  I  do  not 
know :  Dr.  T —  supposes  it  will  require  bleeding, 
and  he  is  to  call  this  day  for  that  purpose.  It  may 
be  so  :  yet  I  am  not  fully  convinced  that  the  loss  of 
blood  would  be  beneficial.  Old  men  do  not  need 
depleting  ;  but  rather  nourishment.  From  the 
symptoms  of  this  pain,  which  is  not  always  station- 
ary, but  often  moves,  I  am  apt  to  think  it  is  a  rheu- 
matic affection.  I  never  had  the  rheumatism  until 
this  winter,  but  it  is  now  often  very  sharp ;  and  I 
think  this  pain  in  my  side  may  be  of  that  kind. 
The  Lord,  who  has  promised  never  to  leave  nor 
forsake  me,  will  take  care  of  me,  and  make  this 
also  to  work  for  my  good." 

"  By  a  letter  from  New- York,  I  find  that  my 
old  friend,  Col.  Rutgers,  is  sick,  and  old  Mrs.  Laidlie 
supposed  to  be  dangerously  ill.  When  my  fellow- 
travellers  are  near  their  home,  I  cannot  be  very 
distant  from  it.  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and 
whom  I  have  served  from  my  youth  up ;  and  I  am 

59 


466  ^^W-BKUNSWICK. 

persuaded  he  will  keep  what  I  have  committed  to 
him." 

About  a  week  after,  and  only  a  few  days  before 
his  lamented  decease,  he  addressed  two  more  letters 
to  his  son,  to  testify  his  sympathy  in  the  death  of  an 
infant  member  of  the  family  ;  and  as  it  is  probable 
they  were  the  last  the  good  man  ever  wrote,  the 
compiler  takes  the  liberty  to  present  them  entire. 

"  New-Brunswick,  Jan.  ISth,  1825. 
"  My  dear  Son, 

"  With  tender  love,  and  much  sympathy,  I  as- 
sure you  of  my  participation  in  your  affliction  and 
grief.  O,  if  I  were  now  with  you,  I  would  em- 
brace you  both,  and  press  you  to  my  paternal  bo- 
som. I  would  join  my  tears  with  yours :  I  would 
soothe  your  sorrows,  and  direct  you  to  the  precious 
fountain  of  substantial  comfort,  the  only  source  of 
true  consolation.  He  who  wounds  can  also  heal. 
Afflictions  are  dispensed  for  our  good  ;  and  if  we  see 
his  hand,  and  with  humble  resignation  adore  and 
believe,  they  will  ultimately  become  blessings. — 
He  can,  and  he  actually  does,  make  all  things 
work  for  good  to  them  who  love  God,  and  serve 
him." 

■*  When  I  received  your  letter  of  Saturday,  (on 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  467 

Monday  evening,)  I  was  much  alarmed,  and  waited 
anxiously  for  your  next,  which  came  to  hand  last 
night.  While  hfe  remained,  hope  might  be  indulg- 
ed ;  but  the  quinsy  is  a  dreadful  disease,  especially 
to  children,  and  I  feared  it  would  terminate,  as  it  has 
done,  fatally. 

**  Sweet  lamb !  Her  sufferings  were  not  as 
long  as  often  is  experienced ;  but  they  have  proved 
the  means  of  her  removal  from  a  world  of  pains 
and  sorrows;  and  she  is  translated  to  a  better 
world,  where  there  is  no  crying,  nor  death,  but  all  is 
joy  and  rest,  and  everlasting  and  uninterrupted 
peace.  I  firmly  beUeve  that  all  who  die  in  infancy, 
before  they  are  capable  of  actual  sinning,  are  saved 
through,  and  by  the  Lord  Jesus  : — for  those  who 
have  sinned  in  mature  age,  bitter  repentance,  and 
firm  faith,  are  indispensable." 

"  She  was  an  amiable  and  lovely  child.  All  who 
knew  her,  bear  this  testimony  of  her'; — a  sweet  little 
angel ! — From  our  mutual  distant  residence,  I  am 
precluded  from  an  intimate  acquaintance,  and  have 
only  seen  them  at  their  baptism.  But  I  shall  see 
little  vSarah  in  glory." 

"  Now,  my  dear  children,  mourn  as  Cliristiaiis. 
When  griefs  roll  heavily  on ;  when  you  seem  to  be 
sinking  as  in  deep  waters,  attend  to  the  sovereign 
command  and  aflTectionate  exhortation  of  our  bless- 


468  iSEW-BKUNSWICK. 

ed  Lord  Jesus.  Go,  says  he,  into  your  chamber, 
shut  the  door,  and  there  in  humble  and  fervent 
prayer,  call  upon  your  Heavenly  Father  ;  and  He 
ivho  seeth  in  secret  will  reward  you  openly. — 
Pour  out  your  hearts  before  God  in  prayer.  He 
is  a  refuge  and  help  to  all  who  look  to  him,  with 
broken  hearts.  The  Lord  will  teach  you  to  pray. 
— Read  the  46th  Psalm.  It  begins  with  faith  and 
hope,  and  it  closes  v.  10,  with  the  solemn  exhor- 
tation .  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God.  Read 
also  the  12th  Chapter  to  the  Hebrews.  Both  of 
you  must  read  it  with  patience  and  attention.  If 
the  Holy  Ghost  enables  you  to  understand  and  be- 
lieve that  word,  it  will  do  your  souls  good.  None 
but  God  can  help  and  deliver  you.  To  him  you  must 
come.  He  calls,  and  has  long  called  you.  Blessed  be 
his  name  for  the  promise — that  he  who  cometh,  he 
will  in  no  wise  cast  out. " 

"  I  am  glad  to  observe,  that  you  had  recovered 
from  your  late  indisposition ;  this  was  a  tender 
mercy  previous  to  your  impending  affliction." 

"  I  pray  for  you  both  very,  often  every  day.    I 
bless  you  most  tenderly,  and  wish  to  comfort  you. 
The  Lord  spare  the  remainder  of  the  dear  flock. 
"Again,  and  again,  I  bless  you,  and 

am  your  loving  father, 
"  J,  H.  LIVINGSTON.' 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  4^9 

"  New-Brunswick,  Jan.  15, 1825. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  The  concluding  solemnities  are  accomplish- 
ed. By  your  last  letter,  I  see  that  the  remains  of 
our  late  dear  little  Sarah  are  deposited,  where  they 
will  remain  for  ever,  hidden  from  our  view,  until  the 
trumpet  of  the  great  Archangel  will  summon  all  the 
dead  to  appear,  and  come  to  judgment.  Then  those 
who  died  in  infancy  will  shine  in  the  robes  of  the  Re- 
deemer's righteousness  ;  and  all  of  mature  age  wUI 
appear  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  that  every 
one  may  receive  the  tilings  done  in  the  body,  accord- 
ing to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad. 
2  Cor.  V.  10.  Then  we  must  render  an  account  for 
the  talents  we  have  improved,  and  for  the  talents 
we  have  buried  and  misimproved." 

"  Awful  day  of  solemn  decision  !  We  cannot  fl} 
nor  escape  from  God.  Now  is  the  day  of  salvation. 
The  door  of  mercy  is  not  yet  shut.  Afflictions  are 
a  call  from  God.  Begin  where  you  first  departed. 
Return  to  him,  and  he  will  return  to  you.  Fly 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  for  refuge,  and  by  repentance 
and  faith,  give  yourself  to  the  Divine  Saviour, 
and  you  will  find  peace.  Your  troubled  heai't 
will  rest,  and  he  will  help  you,  even  in  your 
temporal   wants.     You  will  never  find  rest  nor 


470  NEW^BRUNSWICK. 

comfort,  nor  deliverance,  until  you  seek  God  in 
prayer,  and  come  to  Jesus." 

"I  must  constantly  mention  this  to  you,  whether 
you  understand  or  relish  it  or  not,  for  there  is  no 
peace  out  of  Christ,  and  you  will  find  it  so." 

"  I  know  you  now  feel  greatly  afflicted.  I  help 
you,  my  dear  child,  to  bear  your  burthens.  I  am 
afflicted  with  and  for  you,  and  most  fervently  pray 
that  you  may  obtain  grace  to  support  and  comfort 
you,  under  present  as  well  as  impending  evils." 

"  I  am  glad  you  have  written  to  the  dear  boys, 
and  communicated  the  mournful  event  to  them. 
They  will  also  feel  much  affected  with  our  grief. 
Tell  my  dear  F —  that  she  must  look  to  the  Divine 
Redeemer.  He  will  comfort  her,  and  give  peace 
to  her  mind.  He  hears  us  when  we  pray  ;  and 
when  we  read  his  word,  he  instructs  us  to  know 
and  feel  its  meaning.  With  the  heart  we  beheve 
unto  righteousness,  and  with  the  mouth  confession 
is  made  unto  salvation.  The  Lord,  I  hope  and 
trust,  will  give  her  substantial  consolation,  and  you 
will  both  experience  his  supporting  grace,  and 
sanctifying  influence." 

''  The  winter  has  hitherto  been  remarkably 
mild.    My  health  continues  good,   excepting  the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  471 

pain  I  mentioned  in  my  left  side.  It  has  in  part 
subsided.  I  have  not  yet  been  bled  for  it ;  it  is  not 
constant,  but  sometimes  returns,  especially  when  I 
speak  much  in  my  lectures,  yet  its  continuance  is 
not  long." 

,  ,»\ 
"  Now  my  dear,  my  sweet,  my  beloved  child- 
ren, I  mourn  with  you.  I  help  you  to  bear  your  bur- 
thens ;  my  heart  and  love  are  with  you.  I  bless 
you  both  most  tenderly,  and  all  the  precious  flock, 
and  am  your  loving  father. 

"  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON." 

Between  the  date  of  this  letter  and  the  Thursday 
following,  (the  20th) — on  the  morning  of  which  day 
he  was  found  sleeping  in  Jesus, — there  was  no 
visible  change  in  the  state  of  his  health.  During 
the  most  of  the  interim,  he  enjoyed  apparently  his 
usual  strength  and  spirits,  and  on  Wednesday,  a 
more  than  ordinary  degree  of  both,  as  was  remarked 
by  some  of  his  friends.  In  the  morning  of  this  day, 
he  paid  several  visits  ;  when  returned  home,  be  de. 
livered  a  long  lecture  to  the  students  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  Divine  Providence ;  and  the  evening  he 
spent  in  conversing  with  his  reverend  colleague, 
chiefly  upon  divine  things,  with  a  cheerfulness  and 
life,  which  excited  admiration. — After  an  interesting 
family  exercise,  in  which  he  appeared  to  draw  very 


472  NEW-BRUNSWICK.  iR^ 

near  to  God,  and  to  remember  every  object  dear  to 
him,  he  retired  to  his  chamber,  making  no  com- 
plaint of  indisposition ;  but  the  next  morning,  at 
the  time  he  was  accustomed  to  perform  the  same 
duty,  he  was  no  more — his  spirit  had  taken  its  flight, 
and  mingled  with  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  per- 
fect, around  the  throne  of  the  Lamb  in  Heaven. 
One  of  his  httle  grand-sons,  who  had  slept  in  the 
room  with  him,  but  had  seen  or  heard  nothing 
previously,  to  excite  a  suspicion  of  what  had  hap- 
pened, now  called  him,  and  said — "  Grand  Pa  !  it  is 
8  o'clock,"  but  there  was  no  response  nor  sign  of  his 
awaking.  The  family  then  became  alarmed,  and  it 
was  soon  discovered  that  he  had  ceased  to  breathe. 
The  precise  moment  at  which  he  expired,  could 
not  of  course  be  known  ;  but  there  was  some  rea- 
son to  suppose,  that  the  event  had  not  taken  place 
long,  or  more  than  an  hour  before  that  sad  discovery 
was  made.  It  should  be  added,  moreover,  that  he 
lay  as  one  in  a  sweet  sleep.  His  perfectly  compo- 
sed countenance — the  natural  position  of  his  hands 
and  feet — the  unruffled  state  of  the  bed-clothes, — 
all  told  that  his  dissolution  had  been  without  a  strug- 
gle, and  without  a  pang. 

And  in  the  manner  of  his  removal,  a  persuasion 
which  he  had  often  expressed,  that  he  should  so  de- 
part, was  singularly   verified.      Till  toward   the 


NEW-BRUNSWICK.  473 

close  of  his  life,  he  had  suffered  much  from  a  dread 
of  the  agonies  of  death :  he  was  often  troubled  at 
the  thought  of  the  pain  he  would  have  to  endure, 
when  his  soul  should  be  breaking  loose  from  her 
earthly  tabernacle,  and  frequently  prayed  that  he 
might  be  delivered  from  the  distressing  apprehen- 
sion. He  was  at  length  delivered  from  it ;  and  what 
was  very  remarkable,  said  afterwards,  more  than 
once,  as  we  have  been  credibly  informed,  that  when 
the  hour  for  his  departure  should  arrive,  he  believ- 
ed he  would  go  off  in  a  sudden  and  easy  manner. 
So  indeed  he  went  off,  as  circumstances  indicated; 
and, 

"  So  fades  a  summer  cloud  away, 

So  sinks  a  gale  when  storms  are  o'er  ; 
So  gently  shuts  the  eye  of  day, 

So  dies  a  wave  along  the  shore." 

The  next  Sabbath,  his  remains  were  committed 

to  the  house  appointed  for  all  living,  with  suitable 

solemnities.     The  extreme  unpleasantness  of  the 

weather  at  the  time,  and  for  a  day  or  two  before,  no 

doubt  prevented  many  living  at  a  distance,  from 

payingto  them  the  last  tribute  of  respect;  but  there 

was,  notwithstanding,  a  very  numerous  collection  of 

persons  from  ^ew-  \  ork  and  other  places,  to  attend 

the  funeral. 

60 


474  NEW-BKUNSWICK. 

The  following  was  the  order  of  the  procession : — 

1.  Clergy  of  New-Brunswick,  of  all  denomina- 

tions. 

2.  Corpse  and  pall-bearers. 

3.  Relatives. 

4.  The  surviving  Professor,  and  the  Students 

of  the  Seminary. 

5.  The  intimate  friends  of  the  deceased. 

6.  The  Theological  Professors  of  the  Prince^ 

ton  Seminary. 

7.  Clergy. 

8.  Physicians. 

9.  Citizens  generally. 

The  corpse  was  taken  into  the  Dutch  Church 
during  the  performance  of  a  service,  appropriate  to 
the  solemn  occasion,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Milledoler, 
and  was  then  interred. 

On  the  following  Sabbath,  a  number  of  pulpits 
were  hung  with  mourning ;  and  in  several  Churches 
in  the  connexion,  funeral  sermons  were  preach- 
ed, some  of  which  were  afterwards  pubHshed.* 

*  The  Sermons  published  were  those  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  De  Witt, 
jof  New-BruDswick  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  N.  J.  Marselus,  of  Green- 
wich, New- York ;  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  (now  Doctor)  C.  C.  Cuyler, 
af  Poughkeepsie. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK,  475 

On  the  16th  of  February,  1825,  the  General  Sy- 
nod of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  ronvened  in 
Extra  Session  at  Albany,  when  the  following  reso- 
lution, relative  to  the  death  of  Professor  Livingston, 
was  unanimously  adopted. 

*'  Whereas  it  has  pleased  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church,  to  remove  by  death,  on  the  20th  of  Ja- 
nuary last,  our  late  venerable  friend  and  father 
in  the  Lord,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.  D.  S. 
T.  P.  in  the  79th  year  of  his  age,  the  55th  of  his  mi- 
nistry, and  41st  of  his  labours,  as  Professor  of  The- 
ology ;  this  Synod,  deeply  impressed  with  the  sen- 
timent, that  believers,  and  especially  able  and 
faithful  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  are  the  salt  of  the 
earth  ;  and  that  it  is  a  Christian  duty  to  lament  their 
loss,  and  cherish  their  memory,  —do  resolve,  that 
they  deeply  lament  the  providence  which  has  re- 
moved a  man,  greatly  beloved  and  highly  useful ; — 
that  they  desire,  in  humble  submission,  to  be  still, 
and  know  that  God  hath  done  it ;— that  they  bless 
the  God  of  Israel,  who  hath  spared  him  so  long, 
made  him  so  eminently  useful,  and  given  him  so 
easy  and  happy  a  passage  to  the  Idngdom  of  glory, 
lull  of  years,  full  of  honours,  and  full  of  faith :— that 
they  will  ever  cherish  the  most  respectful  and 
affectionate  regard  for  a  name  and  memory  so  dear." 

Pursuant  to  another  Resolution  of   the   sanfK 


47t)  NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

Synod,  a  monumental  stone  was  subsequently 
erected  over  the  grave  of  the  professor,  with  this 
inscription  in  the  Latin  and  EngHsh  languages. 

Sacred 

To  the  Memory 

of  the 

Rev.  JOHN  H.  LIVINGSTON,  D.  D.  S.  T.  P. 

Born  at  Poughkeepsie,  State  of  New- York,  May  30th  1746. 

Educated  for  the  Ministry  at  the  University  of  Utrecht,  in  Holland. 

Called  to  the  pastoral  office  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 

in  New- York,  1770. 

Appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 

in  America,  their  Professor  of   Didactic  and  Polemic 
Theology  in  1784.     And  elected  to  the  Presidency  of  Queen's 

College,  New-Jersey,  in  1810. 
There,  in  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  blessed  in 
the  enjoyment  of  mental   energy,  high  reputation,  and  dis- 
tinguished usefulness,  he  suddenly,  but  sweetly  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus,  January  20th,  1826,  in  the  79th 
year  of  his  age,  the  55th  of  his  Ministry,  and 
the  41st  of  his  Professoral  labours. 
In  Him, 
tVith  dignified  appearance,  extensive  erudition,  almost  unrivalled 
talents  as  a  sacred  orator  and  professor,  were  blended  manners 
polished,  candid,  and  attractive,  all  ennobled  by  that  entire  devo- 
tion to  his  Saviour,  which  became  such  a  servant  to  yield  to  such 
a  Master. 

In  token  of  their  gratitude  for  his  services,  and  veneration 
for  his  memory,  the  General  Synod  have  ordered  this  Monu- 
mental Stone  to  be  erected. 


CHAPTER.  X. 


HIS    GENERAL    CHARACTER. 

When  any  attempt  is  made  to  portray  the  ex- 
cellencies of  one  who  was  great  and  useful  in  his 
day,  it  is  too  often  supposed  to  imply  a  design  to 
set  him  forth  as  a  perfect  character.  How  much 
of  malevolence  or  benevolence  ; — how  much  of 
pride  or  humility,  the  supposition  betokens,  it 
is  not  the  province  of  the  WTiter  to  determine. 
The  fact,  nevertheless,  is  unquestionable,  that  a 
biographical  representation  of  departed  worth,  is 
often  viewed  with  suspicion,  and  often  fails  of 
magnifying  the  grace  of  God,  or  inciting  to  imita- 
tion, through  the  gratuitous  insinuation,  thrown 
out,  perhaps,  with  an  air  of  wounded  pious  feeling, 
that  no  person  on  this  side  heaven  can  attain  to 
such  faith  and  such  virtue,  as  have  been  imputed  to 
the  subject  of  the  Memoir. — Faihngs  and  foibles,  as 
well  as  the  most  estimable  quahties,  must  be  found 
distinctly  and  strongly  described,  or  the  portrait 
which  is  drawn  will  be  pronounced  by  some  a  mere 
caricature.  But,  it  certainly  cannot  be  necessary, 
nor  is  it  generally  expected,  that  in  a  work  of  this 
nature,  imperfections  of  character  shall  be  care- 


I 


478        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

fully  depicted.  De  moriuis  nil  nisi  bonum^  is  a  rule 
which  a  biographer  may  at  least  measurably  follow, 
without  exposing  himself  to  disingenuous  censure. 
It  is  well  known,  that  there  never  was  a  man  with- 
out a  weak  side — without  some  things  about  him 
which  showed  him  to  be  a  descendant  of  apostate 
Adam ;  and,  if  defects  be  slightly  touched  upon,  or 
even  entirely  passed  over,  it  cannot,  for  a  moment, 
be  seriously  thought  to  have  been  intended  thus  to 
make  the  reader  believe  that  none  had  existed. 

It  must  not  be  imagined,  however,  from  these 
remarks,  that  the  writer  shrinks,  or  is  at  all  dispos- 
ed to  shrink,  from  noticing  any  points  of  imperfec- 
tion which  were  visible  in  him,  whose  character  he 
is  now  to  sketch  : — his  object  in  making  them  was, 
not  to  produce  such  an  impression,  for  he  means  to 
endeavour  to  sketch  the  character  to  the  Hfe,  but 
to  abash,  if  possible,  that  carping  spirit  which  seeks, 
by  unworthy  insinuations,  to  diminish  the  regard 
for  departed  pious  excellence  ; — to  protest  against 
that  summary  way  of  depressing,  in  the  opinion  of 
others,  the  representation  of  a  good  man,  which  is 
but  too  common,  by  saying  it  is  redundant  in  some 
of  its  parts,  and  defective  in  others,  merely  because 
there  are  not  among  the  amiable  lineaments  of  the 
same,  some  very  prominent  ill-favoured  featureSj 
to  show  that  he  was  but  a  ma?i.-~-Let  rather  the  faith. 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        479 

and  patience,  and  godliness  of  one,  who  was  a  faith- 
ful follower  of  Christ  here,  and  now  inherits  the 
promises,  be  fully  presented  to  view,  and  let  them 
have  the  effect  to  induce  others  to  tread  in  his  steps, 
without  being  counteracted  by  those  illiberal 
observations,  which  proceed  from  ignorance  or 
malice. 

It  is  not  pretended  that  the  subject  of  this  Me- 
moir had  attained  unto  the  measure  of  perfection,  in 
the  divine  life ;  but  he  was,  notwithstanding,  an 
eminently  devout  Christian,  who  followed  hard  after 
God,  and  whose  course,  was  one  uniform,  bright, 
reviving  display  of  the  happy  influence  of  divine 
grace  upon  his  heart.  He  had  his  infirmities;  but, 
as  the  author  of  the  Life  of  Dr.  Rodgers  says  of 
those  of  that  venerable  man  of  God,  "  They  were 
spots  in  a  luminary  of  full-orbed  excellence  ;  and 
no  one  was  more  ready  than  himself  to  acknow- 
ledge, that  he  was  a  miserable  sinner,  and  that 
his  proper  place  was  at  the  foot-stool  of  Divine 
mercy." 

Dr.  Livingston  was  a  tall  and  well-formed  man, 
of  a  grave  and  intelligent  countenance,  of  an  easy 
and  polite  air.  He  dressed  usually  in  the  ancient 
clerical  fashion,  and  there  was  that  in  his  appear- 
ance altogether,  which  strongly  marked  the  eleva- 


480        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

tion  of  his  character,  and  could  hardly  fail  to  con- 
vince, even  a  stranger,  upon  merely  passing  him  in 
the  street,  that  he  was  a  person  who  had  more  than 
ordinary  claims  to  attention  and  respect.  A  be- 
holder might,  at  a  first  glance,  have  thought  he 
could  recognise  some  pride  in  him,  and  a  gentle- 
man, who  seemed  to  be  acquainted  with  him,  was 
once  overheard  to  speak  of  him  to  another,  as  he  ac- 
cidentally attracted  their  notice,  in  this  manner  : 
"  That's  the  proudest  man  and  the  humblest  man  ; 
the  politest  gentleman,  and  the  greatest  Christian,  I 
know."  There  was  much  truth  in  the  description ; 
but  it  is  not  believed  that  the  Doctor  cherished  an 
inordinate  self  esteem,  if  the  speaker  intended  to 
imply  this  in  the  use  of  the  first  epithet,  or  if  such  an 
impression  was  ever  produced  by  a  transient  look 
at  him.  He  had,  it  is  not  denied,  a  laudable  pride. 
He  was  proud  of  his  profession ;  proud  of  his 
Church;  proud  of  his  Theological  Institution;  and 
he  knew  well  how  to  maintain  the  dignity  of  his 
official  character  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  at  all 
times,  and  in  all  places.  Such  a  pride,  as  consisted 
in  a  consciousness  of  what  ivas  becoming  himself,  and 
due  to  himself  it  is  cheerfully  admitted  that  he 
possessed,  and  that  was  a  noble  characteristic ; 
but  no  one  could  show  less  of  the  pharisaical  spirit, 
which  says — "  Stand  by  thyself,  for  I  am  hoher 
than  thou ; " — and  no  one  could   exhibit  in  his 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.         481 

habitual  deportment  towards  others,  even  of  the 
lowest  estate,  especially  if  they  were  disciples  of 
Christ,  a  more  kind,  condescending,  and  affection- 
ate temper  of  heart. 

It  was  sometimes  discoverable  in  conversation, 
as  must  be  acknowledged,  that  the  Doctor  estimated 
highly  the  advantages  of  his  foreign  education.  To 
hear  him  express  his  opinion  of  the  merits  of  those 
distinguished  divines,  at  whose  feet  he  had  placed 
himself  when  in  Holland,  one  was  half  incHned  to 
believe,  that  he  thought  all  others  mere  novices  in 
comparison,  and  that  he  greatly  under- rated  the  the- 
ological knowledge  of  his  native  land,  which  had  not 
been  obtained  by  its  possessors  in  some  of  the  cele- 
brated schools  of  Europe. — When  it  is  consider- 
ed, however,  that  his  HoUand  friends  treated  him, 
while  he  was  a  sojourner  among  them,  with  marked 
attention,  and  that  he  was  a  favourite  with  the  pro- 
fessors of  the  University,  from  whom  both  before 
and  after  his  return  to  America,  he  received  very 
gratifying  marks  of  respect,  the  manner  in  which  he 
occasionally  referred  to  the  instruction  he  had  en- 
joyed, was  certainly  very  excusable  ;  and  the 
more  so,  as  new  and  strange  doctrines  were  almost 
daily  issued  from  the  press,  which  being  frequent 
topics  of  discourse,  naturally  led  him  to  recom- 
mend old  divinity  as  the  best,  and  to  censure,  in 

pretty  strong  terms,  the  insipience  of  modern  times. 

61 


4B2  HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

The  Doctor  was  thought  by  some  fond  of  praise, 
and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  a  degree  of  praise, 
when  apparently  sincere,  was  pleasing  to  him. 
Who  is  not  gratified  with  what  he  beheves  to  be 
an  honest  expression  of  gratitude,  approbation,  or 
respect?  Flattery,  a  sensible  and  good  man  de- 
tests ;  but  he  would  be  justly  supposed  to  affect 
displeasure,  who  looked  angrily,  and  behaved  rude- 
ly, when  commended  for  his  performances  or  con- 
duct, by  men  of  character  and  piety.  Clergymen, 
amidst  the  discouragements  which  continually  sur- 
round them,  are  not  a  little  supported  in  their 
arduous  and  responsible  work,  by  assurances  of 
affectionate  regard  from  those  whom  they  serve  in 
the  Gospel.  To  know  that  their  labours  are  accept- 
able and  useful,  the  means  of  comforting  and  edi- 
fying the  body  of  Christ ;  or  of  arresting  in  their 
mad  career,  and  bringing  to  repentance  some  daring 
rebels,  if  it  be  their  heart's  desire  that  souls  may  be 
saved,  is  a  source  of  satisfaction,  not  of  self-compla- 
cency, and  inspires  them  with  zeal  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duties  :  and  to  be  susceptible  of  such  praise, 
argues  nothing  to  the  disparagement  of  the  quaUties, 
either  of  the  understanding  or  heart. 

If  the  Doctor  showed  himself  pleased  with  the 
kind  professions  which  were  occasionally  made  by 
his  brethren  and  others,  whose  sincerity  he  could 
not  doubt,  he  had  too  much  genuine  humility  to 


HIS  GENEUAL  CHARACTER.         483 

relish,  and  too  much  penetration  to  be  imposed 
upon  by  the  extravagant  or  hypocritical  compli- 
ment. The  simple  fact,  that  a  compliment  of  this 
kind,  if  offered  at  any  time,  was  not  rudely  reject- 
ed, is  no  proof  that  it  was  well  received.  There 
are  few  popular  and  great  men,  perhaps,  who  have 
not  had  their  patience  more  or  less  tried  by  syco- 
phants, and  been  compelled  often  by  concomitant 
circumstances,  to  yield  a  passive  attention  to  what 
such  persons  had  the  face  to  say  ;  but  it  would 
certainly  be  the  highest  injustice  to  construe  their 
silence,  or  even  a  degree  of  courteousness  in  them,, 
when  so  situated,  into  a  love  of  flattery. 

In  the  opinioh  of  a  few,  the  Doctor  displayed 
too  much  of  what  may  be  termed  the  pride  of  years-. 

He  did  not  believe,  it  is  granted,  that  young 
men,  however  respectable  for  talents,  knew  more 
than  their  fathers  and  predecessors  in  the  Church : 
and  it  is  granted  further,  that  when  any  of  his 
Junior  brethren  urged  sentiments  which,  in  his  view, 
tended  to  affect  the  doctrines  or  practice  of  the 
Church,  with  unbecoming  confidence  and  zeal, 
he  would  treat  the  same  as  the  salUes  of  puerility, 
rather  than  as  the  results  of  profound  research  and 
mature  experience.  The  manner  of  an  opponent  in 
debate,  would  sometimes  provoke  him  to  9  little 


484        HIS  GENERAL  CHARA€TER. 

piquancy  of  reply.  Old  age  is  entitled  to  gpeat 
deference  ;  and  nothing  will  sooner  draw  a  severe 
animadversion  from  its  lips,  than  bold  and  arrogant 
pretensions  to  superior  knowledge  on  the  part  of 
those  who  are  yet  comparatively  youthful.  The 
Doctor  was  never  known,  it  is  believed,  to  be 
wanting  in  condescension,  tenderness,  and  respect, 
to  the  very  youngest  of  his  brethren,  when  enga- 
ged in  controversy  with  them,  whether  privately  or 
publicly,  if  treated  with  that  delicacy  and  com- 
plaisance, due  to  one  of  his  age,  character,  and  sta- 
tion ;  and  if  ever  his  feelings  were  wounded  by  any 
incidental  personal  observations,  a  suitable  acknow- 
ledgment instantly  soothed  them,  and  reinstated 
the  offender  in  his  affections.  The  truth  is,  young 
men  are  often  very  inconsiderate,  nay,  impolitely 
confident,  when  they  happen  to  come  in  collision 
with  theii'  seniors  in  the  discussion  of  a  question ; 
and  yet  they  themselves,  as  they  advance  in  years, 
not  unfrequently  recede  from  the  positions  which 
they  had  once  advocated  with  so  much  zeal,  and 
confess  that  their  fathers  were  wiser  than  they. 

One  thing  more  deserves  here  a  passing  re- 
mark. There  are  those  who  surmise  that  the 
Doctor  was  rather  of  a  covetous  disposition.  That 
lie  considered  it  a  Christian  duty  to  take  care  of  his 
own ; — that  he  was  somewhat  exact  in  pecuniary 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        48i> 

transactions ; — that  he  was  willing   to   receive  a 
proper  remuneration  for  ministerial  or  professoral 
services,  will  not  be  denied ;  but  did  these  facts 
positively  indicate  the  indulgence  of  an  inordinate 
desire  for  gain  ?     In  his  house,  he  was  hospitable ; 
in  benefactions  to  the  poor,  though  he  made  no 
parade  with  them,  few  went  beyond  him ;  and  to 
benevolent  or  rehgious  societies,  he  cheerfully  gave 
of  his   substance.     It  would  be  an  easy  task   to 
prove  these  assertions  ;  but  if  the  reader  will  only 
recoUect  what  has  been  stated  in  the  course  of  the 
narrative,  which  has  been  given  of  his  hfe,  in  rela- 
tion to  his  serving  the  Church  as  professor  for 
many  years  gratuitously — to  his  removal  to  Long 
Island,  in  comphance  with  the  request  of  the  Synod, 
at  the  sacrifice  voluntarily  made,  of  the  half  of  his 
ample  support  in  the  city — to  his  subsequent  re- 
moval to  New-Brunswick,  at  an  advanced  age, 
when  the  moneys  subscribed  for  his  maintenance 
there,  were  far  from  being  sufficient  for  the  purpose, 
and  were  yet  in  a  precarious  state — and  to  his  own 
liberal  subscription  of  $500  for   the  endowment  of 
another  professorship — if  these  facts  he  duly  weigh- 
ed, there  can  be  no  hesitation  in  beUeving  that  he 
cherished  a  disposition,  the  very  opposite  of  that 
which  has  been  named — a  noble  generosity. 

Enough  has  now  been  said  upon  the  subject  of 


486        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

his  infirmities,  whether  real  or  supposed  ones  :  he 
certainly  was  not  without  some :  he  was  himself 
very  sensible  of  many,  and  bewailed  their  influ- 
ence, as  has  been  already  observed ;  but  amidst  the 
assemblage  of  excellent  quaUties,  intellectual  and 
moral,  for  which  he  was  distinguished,  we  think  we 
can  say  with  perfect  truth,  and  without  fear  of  con- 
tradiction, they  were  seldom  so  visible  as  to  excite 
particular  notice. 

The  prominent  features  of  the  Doctor's  charac- 
ter have  been  incidentally  pointed  out,  in  the  pre- 
ceding account  of  his  life,  but  it  is  proper  that,  in 
this  chapter,  they  should  be  collectively  and  fully 
exhibited. 


Doctor  Livingston  was  naturally  of  a  mild  and 
affectionate  disposition.  No  one  could  be  long  in 
his  company  without  discovering  the  kindness  and 
tenderness  of  his  heart :  and  while  he  was  so  easy 
and  endearing  in  his  manners,  that  the  small  as 
well  as  the  great,  the  poor  as  well  as  the  rich,  felt 
quite  at  home  in  his  presence,  he  was  so  polished 
and  so  dignified,  that  both  were  equally  under  that 
wholesome  restraint,  which  effectually  prevented 
the  use  of  any  improper  freedoms,  or  impertinent 
and  offensive  behaviour. — In  the  reception  and  en- 
tertainment of  his  friends,  to  the  very  last)  he  dis» 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        487 

played  the  ardour  and  sprightliness  of  youth,  and 
was  attentive  without  unnecessary  and  irksome  ce- 
remony, cheerful  without  levity,  and  communicative 
without  repressing  in  the  least  that  free  interchange 
of  remark,  so  essential  to  agreeable  conversation. 
It  was  impossible  that  he  should  not  be  a  leading 
person  in  every  social  circle ;  but  he  assumed  no 
overbearing  air,  to  put  others  to  silence,  and  fix  the 
eyes  of  all  upon  himself:  there  was  an  urbanity 
about  him,  which,  notwithstanding  his  evident  su- 
periority, set  at  ease  the  thoughts  and  feelings  of 
the  plainest  or  humblest  individual  in  the  company, 
and  invited  him  to  take  part  in  the  conversation 
of  the  moment :  and  it  ought  to  be  added,  that 
scarce  any  one  had  a  better  talent  in  giving  to  an 
occasional  conversation,  whatever  might  happen 
to  be  the  subject  of  it,  a  profitable  turn,  or  such  a 
turn  as  was  calculated  to  subserve  the  advance- 
ment of  religion.  He  was,  moreover,  the  tender 
husband — the  affectionate  father — the  faithful 
friend. 

With  that  natural  sweetness  of  disposition,  and 
that  engaging  courteousness,  which  made  him  so 
captivating  in  the  intercourse  of  private  life,  be 
possessed  a  finely  endowed  and  cultivated  mind. 
He  was  not  distinguished,  indeed,  for  fertility  of 
imagination,  or  for  originality  and  sublimity  of 
thought ;  but  he  had  a  sound,  acute,  discriminating, 


488        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

comprehensive  intellect — one  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary capacity  and  force,  and  well  furnished  with 
various  and  useful  knowledge.  His  reading  was 
extensive.  He  was  a  man  of  general  science,  and 
with  the  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew  languages,  and 
the  several  branches  of  polite  literature,  he  was  in- 
timately acquainted.  But  in  professional  learning, 
he  was  unquestionably  pre-eminent,  and  had  scarce 
a  compeer  in  the  country.  Theology  was  his  fa- 
vourite study  ;  and  whether  he  conversed  with  a 
few  Christian  friends  in  private,  or  preached,  or 
lectured,  he  showed  that  he  was  deeply  versed  in 
the  mysteries  of  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven, — that  he 
was  perfectly  famiUar  with  every  part  of  revealed 
truth,  and  could  illustrate  and  defend  it  with  singu- 
lar abiUty, — that  he  had  read,  with  great  care,  many 
of  the  best  works  upon  every  subject  of  theology, 
and  thoroughly  studied  the  Sacred  Scriptures.  And 
with  all  his  various  and  profound  learning,  was 
connected  a  deep,  experimental  acquaintance  with 
the  power  of  saving  grace.  He  was  a  divine 
taught  of  God :  he  was  a  Christian. 

Having  taken  this  general  view  of  his  character, 
it  may  serve  to  render  the  impression  of  it  upon 
the  reader's  mind  more  distinct  and  correct,  to  enu- 
merate and  dwell  a  httle  upon  a  few  other  things, 
for  which  he  was  remarkable  in  the  estimation  of 
f(ll  who  knew  him,  and  which  contributed,  not  less 


HIS    GENERAL    CHAKACTEK. 


489 


probably  than  those  aheady  mentioned,  to  give 
him  that  distinguished  place  in  public  opinion,  so 
long  and   so  well  maintained. 

And  I.   Doctor  Livingston  was  eminently  a  man 

of    DISCRETION. 

Throughout  the  whole  course  of  his  public  life, 
in  trivial  as  well  as  the  most  important  matters — in 
private  intercourse,  in  ecclesiastical  assemblies,  and 
in  the  performance  of  pastoral  or  professoral 
duties,  he  discovered  an  extraordinary  measure  of 
sound  practical  wisdom.  His  circumspection,  as 
to  all  he  said  or  did,  was  by  some  indeed  thought 
excessive,  and  to  show  constitutional  timidity  ;  and 
it  is  possible  that  upon  some  occasions,  he  may 
have  carried  it  too  far,  but  the  writer  believes, 
nevertheless,  that  it  proceeded  frotn  principle — 
from  a  desire  to  keep  a  conscience  void  of  offence, 
both  towards  God  and  towards  man ; — in  other 
words,  that  he  habitually  felt  the  influence  of  the 
fear  of  God,  and  consulted  the  best  interests  of  the 
Redeemer's  Kingdom. — He  certainly  did  not  pos- 
sess that  bold  and  adventurous  spirit,  which  does  not 
hesitate  to  encounter  the  greatest  apparent  dangers, 
or  essays  to  bear  down  all  opposition :  yet  it  must 
be  acknowledged,  that  he  evinced  no  want  of  resolu- 
tion and  com'age  in  supporting  the  doctrines  and 
disciphne  of  the  Church,  or  in  prosecuting  steadily, 

62 


490        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

amid  manifold  discouragements  and  obstacles  of  a 
formidable  nature,  plans,  the  accomplishment  of 
which,  involved  in  his  view,  the  future  prosperity 
and  welfare  of  the  Church.  In  the  discernment  of 
characters,  in  seeing  at  once,  or  almost  intuitively, 
what  would  be  the  consequences  of  the  adoption  of 
any  proposed  measure,  and  in  suggesting  the  best 
means  for  effecting  an  important  object,  he  was  sur- 
passed by  few :  and  however  his  discretion  may  have 
been  sometimes,  by  prejudice  and  unfriendhness, 
misconstrued  and  misnamed,  it  was  one  of  his  most 
prominent  virtues,  and  a  virtue,  without  the  exercise 
of  which,  in  a  very  great  degree,  it  may  be  confident- 
ly asserted  he  never  could  have  succeeded,  as  he 
did,  in  terminating  the  celebrated  quarrel  that,  at  the 
commencement  of  his  ministry,  divided  the  Church. 
In  the  difficult  situation  in  which  he  was  then  placed, 
and  often  afterwards,  in  circumstances  of  peculiar 
perplexity,  he  exhibited  a  moderation,  a  judgment, 
a  prudence,  which  in  their  influence  prevented,  no 
doubt,  the  experience  of  many  troubles,  and  led,  as 
may  be  seen  in  the  history  of  the  school,  to  great 
and  beneficial  results. 

II.  Another  of  the  characteristics  of  this  excel- 
lent man,  was  a  decided  and  warm  attachment  to 
evangelical  truth. 

He  loved  the  doctrines,  which  are  emphatically 
and  properly  styled  the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  he 


HIS    GENERAL    CHARACTER.  4^1 

taught  them,  as  they  are  revealed  m  the  Gospel, 
pure  and  unadulterated,  m  all  his  pulpit  discourses, 
professoral  lectures,  and  more  private  catechetical 
or  conversational  instructions.  Though  not  igno- 
rant of  the  idle  and  pernicious  speculations,  zeal- 
ously disseminated  under  one  name  or  another,  in 
every  age  of  the  Church,  they  constituted  no  part 
of  his  creed.  He  could  not  endure  to  see  men 
pretending  to  be  wiser  than  God,  and  attempting  to 
explain  away,  or  to  entangle  with  frivolous  and 
wicked  inventions,  doctrines  above  the  comprehen- 
sion of  finite  minds,  but  clearly  delivered  in  the 
Sacred  Oracles. — He  firmly  believed  in  the  depra- 
vity, helplessness,  and  ruin  of  our  natural  state,  and 
that  it  is  only  by  the  interposition  and  death  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  that 
pardoning  and  saving  mercy  are  extended  to  any 
of  the  lost  children  of  Adam.  He  beUeved  that 
the  great  and  good  Shepherd  gave  his  life  for  the 
sheep  ;*  that  he  died  the  just  for  the  unjust  ;t  and 
that  the  saints  were  from  the  beginning,  chosen  of 
God  to  salvation,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit 
and  belief  of  the  truth  :| — or,  to  use  the  words  of 
another  apostle,  are  elect  according  to  the  fore- 
knowledge of  God  the  Father,  through  sanctifica- 
tion of  the  Spirit,  unto  obedience  and  sprinkling 
of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  ||     He  beheved  that 

*John,  10,  xi.     fl.  Pet.  3.  xviii.    JThess.  2.  xiii.     ||  1  Pet.  I.  2. 


492        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTEK. 

the  elect  sinner  is  accepted  as  righteous  in  the 
sight  of  God,  only  through  the  finished  righteous- 
ness of  the  dear  Redeemer,  imputed  to  him,  and 
received  by  faith ;  that  his  heart  is  renewed  by  the 
supernatural  and  irresistible  influence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  and  that  the  work  thus  begun  by  omnipo- 
tent grace,  is  by  the  same  grace  carried  on  and 
completed  ;*  in  other  words,  that  he  is  kept  by  the 
power  of  God,  through  faith,  unto  salvation,  f  He 
believed  in  the  necessity  of  practical  godliness  as 
the  genuine  fruit  of  living,  saving  faith  ;  and  he 
further  believed,  that  all  who  should  be  found  desti- 
tute at  last  of  that  holiness  which  the  Gospel  re- 
quires, would  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruc- 
tion, from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the 
glory  of  his  power.  |  The  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
grace,  through  the  infinitely  precious  sacrifice  of 
Christ,  and  all  the  truths  connected  with  this 
grand  article  of  the  Gospel,  he  ardently  embraced, 
and  steadfastly  maintained,  as  the  Faith  once  de- 
livered to  the  saints  :  and  it  is  not  improbable  that 
the  preservation  of  orthodoxy  in  the  Dutch  Church 
is  to  be  attributed,  in  no  small  degree,  to  the 
orthodoxy  of  him  who,  for  so  considerable  a  period, 
presided  over  her  school  of  prophets,  and  who 
remained  untainted  and  unshaken  by  the  errors 
which  have  been  so  prevalent  of  late  years.     The 


*  l»hil.  1.  vi.         t  1.  Pet.   1.  5.         i;  2.  Thess.  1.  9. 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.         493 

full  extent  of  the  blessing  enjoyed  under  such  a 
man,  when  intrusted  with  the  preparation  of  those 
who  are  to  occupy  the  heights  of  Zion,  and  pro- 
claim the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to  dying 
sinners,  and  following  his  labours  when  he  sleeps 
in  Jesus,  cannot  be  easily  estimated, — nay,  cannot 
be  known  until  that  day,  which  is  to  make  manifest 
every  man's  work.  His  doctrine  dropped  as  the 
rain  ;  his  speech  distilled  as  the  dew  ;  as  the  small 
rain  upon  the  tender  herb,  and  as  the  showers  upon 
the  grass.*  And  if  it  were  possible  to  ascertain  the 
benefit  of  his  ministrations  to  the  hundreds  and 
thousands  who  enjoyed  them,  while  he  sustained 
the  pastoral  relation ;  and  that  communicated  far 
and  wide  under  the  ministrations  of  the  hundred 
and  twenty  and  more  young  men  whom  he  quali- 
fied in  the  course  of  his  professoral  services,  under 
God,  for  the  sacred  office,  and  some  of  whom  are  at 
this  moment  among  the  brightest  ornaments  of  the 
Church,  and  conspicuous  for  their  usefulness,  it 
would  be  reaiiily  acknowledged,  indeed,  that  God, 
in  having  given  him  to  us — one  so  devoted  to  the 
truth — and  in  having  spared  him  so  long  to  instruct 
others  in  the  truth,  had  highly  favoured  this  por- 
tion of  Zion. 

And  it  ought  to  be  added  here,  that  the  doctrines 
he  prized  to  such  a  degree,  he  taught  with  a  pecu- 

*  Deut.  32.  2. 


494        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

liar  unction,  simplicity,  and  force.  When  he 
preached,  he  commanded  the  deepest  attention. 
His  noble  appearance,  imposing  action,  singular  but 
expressive  gestures — graceful  enough  in  him,  how- 
ever awkward  they  would  be  in  anotherperson — and 
the  agreeable  modulations  of  his  voice,  soft  and 
tender,  or  grave  and  authoritative  at  his  pleasure, 
fixed  every  eye  upon  him  when  he  was  in  the  pulpit, 
and  opened  every  ear  to  catch  what  he  might  utter. 
But,  apart  from  his  interesting  manner  of  preaching, 
his  sermons  were  generally  so  well  digested,  and 
discovered  such  a  knowledge  of  the  human  heart, 
and  of  the  saving  operations  of  divine  grace,  and 
were  so  richly  fraught  with  evangelical  sentiment, 
and  contained  so  many  searching  appeals  to  the 
conscience,  that  he  could  not  be  heard  with  indif- 
ference or  inattention.  "  His  was  not  the  icy 
coldness  of  speculative  orthodoxy.  His  preaching 
was  truly  the  utterance  of  the  heart.  Those  who 
have  listened  to  him  in  his  happy  moments  of  warm 
and  impassioned  elevation,  have  heard  him  pour 
forth  the  fulness  of  an  affectionate  spirit ;  warning, 
alarming,  inviting,  persuading,  beseeching ;  his 
whole  soul  thrown  into  his  countenance ;  and  in 
his  penetrating  eye,  the  fire  of  ardent  zeal  gleam- 
ing through  the  tears  of  benignity  and  love."* 


*  Wardlaw's  Memoir  of  Dr.  Balfour. 


His    GENERAL    CHARACTER.  49^ 

The  genuine  exercises  of  a  Christian  he  could 
portray  with  a  masterly  hand,  and  in  healing  the 
wounded  spirit,  strengthening  the  weak  hands,  en- 
lightening and  encouraging  tliose  that  walked  in 
darkness,  or  were  disquieted  by  a  multitude  of 
fears,  his  pulpit  addresses,  from  time  to  time,  were 
extensively  owned  of  his  Divine  Master.  It  was 
his  delight,  in  a  word,  to  preach  Christ,  as  the  way, 
the  truth,  and  the  life,  and  to  exhibit  in  all  their  im- 
portance and  loveliness,  the  precious  blessings  pur- 
chased by  the  blood  of  the  Cross :  and  many  of  his 
pious  friends  can  recollect,  no  doubt,  how  natu- 
rally, and  how  ^ec/mg/i/ oft-times,  when  descanting 
upon  the  riches  of  redeeming  grace,  he  would 
relate  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  his  own  soul. 

He  usually  preached,  as  has  been  remarked  be- 
fore, from  brief  notes  or  skeletons  ;  and  having  a 
ready  command  of  thought,  and  of  suitable  expres_ 
sion  in  the  discussion  of  his  subject,  what  he  de- 
livered, while  it  was  methodical  in  its  texture,  was 
so  perspicuous,  so  plain,  so  free  from  all  scholastic 
starchness,  as  to  be  adapted  to  the  capacity  of  the 
most  illiterate  of  his  hearers. 

And  in  teaching  theology  as  a  science,  let  it  be 
observed,  he  was  not  less  successful  in  presenting, 
in  a  familiar  and  impressive  way,  luminous  exhibi- 


496        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

tions  of  the  different  parts  of  his  own  well-arranged 
system,  so  as  to  givehis  students  a  clear  and  con- 
nected view  of  divine  truth,  and  promote  in  them 
the  cultivation  of  personal  piety.  He  had,  in  fact, 
a  peculiar  talent  in  bringing  his  instructions  within 
the  comprehension  of  the  dullest  intellect,  and  of 
exciting  in  the  heart  correspondent  devotional 
feelings.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  his 
preaching  was  popular  and  useful,  and  that  his 
students  have  been  found,  in  general,  when  they 
entered  into  the  service  of  the  sanctuary,  tho- 
roughly indoctrinated,  skilful  in  handling  the  word 
of  righteousness,  and  engaging  with  a  commend- 
able zeal  in  the  great  work  to  which  they  had  been 
called. 

111.  This  venerable  man  was  remarkable  for  a 
certain  captivating  tenderness  in  his  deportment 
towards  young  persons. 

Rarely,  perhaps,  is  a  pastor  more  respected  and 
loved  by  the  youth  of  his  charge  than  Dr.  Living- 
ston was  by  the  juvenile  part  of  his  congregation, 
during  his  ministry  in  the  city  of  New- York. — 
Whenever  and  wherever  he  met  with  any  of  these 
lambs  of  his  flock,  his  attentions  to  them  were  of 
the  most  kind  and  winning  nature.  By  calhng  them 
his  children,  by  gently  patting  them  upon  the 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        497 

head  and  blessing  them,  or  saying  a  few  words  ex- 
pressive of  liis  affectionate  and  pious  concern  for 
them,  and  by  other  similar  acts  of  endearment,  he 
gained  their  esteem  and  love,  and  made  impres- 
sions upon  their  minds,  which  could  not  soon,  or 
at  any  time  after,  be  entirely  forgotten,  and  which, 
through  the  divine  blessing,  it  is  beheved,  were  the 
means  of  drawing  a  number  to  Christ.  There  are 
those  now  living,  probably,  who  were  his  catechu- 
mens, some  forty  or  fifty  years  ago,  that  cherish  to 
this  day  a  pleasing  recollection  of  his  paternal  and 
insinuating  manner  among  them,  at  the  weekly  re- 
citations of  their  catechism,  and  it  may  be,  that  a 
httle  of  the  seed  then  and  there  sown  by  him,  may 
yet  spring  up  and  produce  fruit  to  the  glory  of 
God. 

The  same  captivating,  tender  attention,  he  uni- 
formly showed  to  his  students,  or  "  dear  young 
gentlemen,"  as  he  used  to  frequently  style  them : 
— he  treated  them  as  his  children.  When  they 
visited  him,  he  received  them  with  gladness :  when 
they  took  leave  of  him,  be  gave  them  a  father's 
blessing. — In  all  his  intercourse  with  them,  he 
evinced,  in  different  ways,  the  deep  and  earnest 
solicitude  he  felt  to  have  them  grow  in  grace,  and 
become  able  and  faithful  ministers  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. In  reference  to  this  fact,  a  respectable 
\  63 


498        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

clergyman  who  studied  theology  under  him,  in  a 
sermon  preached  upon  the  occasion  of  his  death, 
and  afterwards  published,  thus  expresses  himself:* 
"  Nor  is  there  so  much  as  one,  who  has  enjoyed 
the  benefit  of  his  instructions,  but  can  testify  with 
what  affection  and  tenderness  he  often  exhorted 
his  students  to  cultivate  personal  rehgion,  and 
growth  in  grace,  to  estimate  duly  the  value  of  souls, 
to  become  well-grounded  in  the  truth,  to  hold  fast 
the  form  of  sound  words,  and  to  contend  earnestly 
for  the  faith  once  dehvered  to  the  saints.  And 
frequently,  in  reference  to  those  whom  he  had  fit- 
ted for  the  ministry,  would  he  use  that  declaration 
of  the  beloved  Apostle — I  have  no  greater  joy  than 
to  hear  that  my  children  walk  in  the  truth." 

IV.  In  contemplating  the  character  of  Doctor 
Livingston,  the  uniformly  elevated  state  of  his 
devotional  feelings,  claims  a  special  notice. 

Estimable  as  he  was  in  many  other  respects,  this 
constituted  his  crowning  excellence. — A  more 
lively  disciple  of  the  blessed  Jesus  than  he  was,  is 
seldom  to  be  found.  His  heart  was  ever  full  of 
Christ,  and  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart,  his 
mouth  spake. — The  most    common  occurrences 


*  The  Rev.  N.  J.  Marselus,  of  Greenwich,  N.  Y. 


HIS  GENERAL  CHAKAOTEK.         499 

served  to  call  forth  from  him  some  suitable  expres- 
sions of  the  pious  fervour  of  liis  soul ; — and  no  man 
could  more  happily,  or  more  naturally,  interweave 
with  his  discourse  upon  ordinary  subjects,  reflec- 
tions of  a  serious  nature. 

One  or  two  little  incidents,  illustrative  of  this 
trait  in  his  character,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  relate. 

The  Doctor  and  the  Ex-King  of  ***** 
happened  once  to  be  fellow-passengers,  with  many 
others,  on  board  of  one  of  the  North  River  steam- 
boats. As  the  Doctor  was  early  in  the  morning, 
walking  the  deck,  and  gazing  at  the  refulgence  of 
the  rising  sun,  which  appeared  to  him  unusually 
attractive,  he  passed  near  the  distinguished  stranger, 
and  stopping  for  a  moment,  accosted  him  thus  : 
**  How  glorious,  Sir,  is  that  object !" — pointing 
gracefully  with  his  hand  to  the  sun  : — The  stran- 
ger assenting,  he  immediately  added,  "  And  how 
much  more  glorious.  Sir,  must  be  its  Maker,  the 
Sun  of  righteousness  ?  " — A  gentleman,  who  over- 
heard this  short,  incidental  conversation,  being 
acquainted  with  both  personages,  now  introduced 
them  to  each  other,  and  a  few  more  remarks  were 
interchanged.  Shortly  after,  the  Doctor  again 
turned  to  the  Ex-King,  and  with  that  air  of  polished 
complaisance,  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable,  in- 


5t)U  HIS    GENERAL    CHARACTER. 

vited  him  first,  and  then  the  rest  of  the  company; 
to  attend  a  morning  prayer.  It  is  scarce  necessary 
to  add,  that  the  invitation  was  promptly  complied 
with. 

At  another  time,  when  the  Doctor  was  journey- 
ing, he  invited  his  fellow-travellers  to  unite  with 
him  in  an  address  to  the  throne  of  grace. — One  of 
them,  a  lady,  was  much  displeased  at  the  invita- 
tion, and  refused  to  attend  the  exercise.  From  an 
adjoining  apartment,  however,  she  heard  the 
good  man's  prayer,  which  made  such  a  deep  and 
lasting  impression  upon  her  mind,  as  ultimately  in- 
duced the  important  inquiry,  what  must  I  do  to  be 
saved  ?  Some  considerable  time  after  the  occur- 
rence, this  lady,  in  a  very  splendid  private  car- 
riage, called  to  see  the  Doctor,  at  his  house  in  the 
city.  She  had  come  on  from  the  South,  where  she 
resided,  for  the  purpose,  it  is  presumed,  of  spending 
the  summer  in  a  more  healthy  climate.  The  Doc- 
tor did  not  recognise  her  at  first ;  but  upon  her  re- 
lating, very  minutely,  the  circumstances  of  her  be- 
haviour at  that  accidental  interview,  he  remember- 
ed her ;  and  great  was  his  joy,  now  that  he  saw 
her  a  penitent  sinner,  and  understood  from  her,  that 
the  prayer  wliich  she  had  despised,  had  been  an- 
swered in  her  conversion. — A  word  in  season,  how 
good  is  it !     And  how  often  might  its  goodness  be 


M. 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        501 

felt  and  seen,  if  every  follower  of  Christ,  and  espe- 
cially every  ambassador  of  Christ,  would  avail  him- 
self of  every  suitable  opportunity  presented  in  pro- 
vidence, in  conversation  and  prayer,  to  commend 
religion  to  sinners ! 

But  it  must  not  be  supposed,  that  it  was  only 
when  exposed  to  the  observation  of  worldly  per- 
sons, that  the  Doctor's  demeanour  was  so  consist- 
ent with  his  profession.  He  was  the  devout  Chris- 
tian at  home,  as  well  as  abroad.  In  his  daily  con- 
versation with  the  members  of  his  family ;  in  ordina- 
ry intercourse  with  his  friends ;  in  exchanging  a 
few  words  with  a  person  in  the  street ;  in  visits  to 
the  afflicted  ;  in  private  or  official  interviews  with 
the  students  ;  in  all  his  correspondence,  whether  it 
was  designed  to  promote  friendship,  or  related 
simply  to  business  ;  in  short,  in  all  the  different  rela- 
tions and  circumstances  in  which  he  could  be  seen, 
the  fervour  of  his  piety  was  seen  likewise,  in  some 
seasonable  and  appropriate  remarks,  which  had  a 
savour  of  Christ  in  them. 

He  loved  his  Bible.  The  testimonies  of  the 
Lord  were  his  delight  and  his  counsellors.  He 
consulted  them  daily — not  because  it  was  necessa- 
ry for  him  to  do  so  for  professional  purposes — for 
in  him  the  Latin  adage.  Bonus  texiuarius  est  bonus 
iheologus,  was  fully  exemplified.    He  was  a  good 


503        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

textuarist,  well  furnished  with  texts  of  Scripture 
to  support  all  he  taught,  and  with  admirable  ease 
and  point,  could  he  at  any  time  employ  the  lan- 
guage of  Scripture  in  common  discourse  ; — but 
that  he  might  cultivate  religion  in  his  own  heart* 
With  this  view,  he  regularly  perused  the  Sacred 
Volume,  and  the  fact  was  a  strong  proof  of  his  sin- 
cere and  ardent  piety.  The  writer  was  one  day 
in  the  Doctor's  study,  and  taking  up  the  Bible,  to 
look  at  a  certain  passage,  the  venerable  man  put 
this  question  to  him— "Do  you  read  that  Book 
much?  " — and  then  observed,  "It  is  a  precious 
Book  ;  I  read  it  every  day,  and  though  I  have  read 
it  again  and  again,  I  never  open  it  but  I  discover 
something  new  in  it — something  that  had  not  occur- 
red to  me  before  :" — andfurtherj  said  he,  "  I  find  it 
very  profitable,  and  it  is  my  constant  practice  to 
select  a  part  of  what  I  have  been  reading,  to  en- 
gage my  meditations  through  the  day,  when  I  have 
leisure." 

As  another  evidence  of  his  eminent  piety,  it  may 
and  ought  to  be  stated,  that  he  was  habitually  atten- 
tive to  the  duties  of  the  closet.  He  was  truly  a 
man  of  prayer. — He  spent,  as  a  familiar  friend  of 
his  has  informed  us,  not  less  than  itvo  hours  every 
day,  including  all  his  usual  times  of  retirement,  in 
the  secret  discharge  of  this  important  duty :  and 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        50S 

SO  constantly  did  he  appear  to  be  lifting  up  his  soul 
to  God,  toward  the  close  of  his  life,  whenever  he 
was  alone,  that  one  of  his  little  grand  children,  who 
had  closely  observed  him,  said  once  to  a  female 
friend, — "  Why  Miss grand  pa'  prays  seven- 
teen times  a  day  !"  The  number  was,  doubtless, 
merely  guessed  at  by  the  child,  and  must  be  under- 
stood as  amplified  much  beyond  the  true  one  ;  but 
the  affirmation,  nevertheless,  will  give  some  idea  of 
the  very  intimate  communion  which,  in  this  way,  he 
maintained  with  God. 

Still  further  to  illustrate  the  trait  under  consi- 
deration, it  could  be  shown  that  he  loved,  sincerely 
and  warmly  loved,  those  of  other  denominations, 
whom  he  had  any  reason  to  believe  knew  and  loved 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  but  it  is  unnecessary  to 
say  more. 

And  now,  that  it  may  be  seen  that  too  favour- 
able a  representation  of  the  general  character  of 
this  venerable  and  excellent  man  has  not  been  given 
in  these  pages,  the  author  begs  leave  to  lay  before 
the  reader  some  communications  upon  the  sub- 
ject, which  he  has  had  the  honour  to  receive  from 
clergymen,  of  distinguished  reputation  in  other 
churches,  whose  testimony  he  had  requested. 


504        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.         , 

The  following  is  extracted  from  a  letter  of  the 
Rev.  Robert  Forrest,  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church. 

"  My  acquaintance  with  Dr.  L.  was  chiefly  con- 
fined to  five  years,  from  1804  till  1809,  when  residing 
chiefly  in  his  neighbourhood,  I  had  frequent  oppor- 
tunities of  enjoying  his  society.  *  *  As  a  theologian, 
his  great  fort  lay  in  that  which  was  systematical  and 
practical.  He  had  studied,  with  the  utmost  dili- 
gence, the  writings  of  those  distinguished  men  who 
reflected  so  much  honour  upon  Holland  and  Geneva, 
during  the  17th  and  the  beginning  of  the  18th  cent. 
It  did  not  appear  to  me  that  Dr.  L.'s  talents  qua- 
lified him  to  have  been  a  successful  controvertist ; 
but,  in  the  faculty  of  illustrating  the  Christian  sys- 
tem, and  in  exhibiting  its  spiritual  and  moral  tenden- 
cies, for  the  instruction  of  theological  students,  or  a 
Christian  congregation,  he  certainly  had  few,  if  any 
superiors  among  his  cotemporaries.  In  the  devo- 
tional manner  in  which  he  illustrated  the  system  of 
divinity,  and  the  interest  which  he  never  failed  to 
excite,  he  certainly  far  excelled  (judging  from  their 
writings,)  the  divines  of  the  Church  of  Holland. 
It  appeared  to  me,  that  Dr.  L.  had  a  very  respect- 
able acquaintance  with  the  original  languages  of 
Scripture,  as  well  as  with  History  and  Chronology." 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.         505 

I'he  venerable  Dr.  Ashbel  Green,  6f  Philadel- 
phia, in  his  letter  thus  expresses  himself — 

"  I  had  occasional  intercourse  with  the  late  ve- 
nerable and  reverend  Doctor  Livingston,  for  more 
than  thirty  years.  Yet  this  intercourse  was  not 
frequent ;  and  I  have  often  expressed  regret,  that  I 
never  had  an  opportunity  to  hear  him  deliver  a  ser- 
mon, or  perform  any  public  religious  service.  But 
I  knew  enough  of  him,  not  only  from  his  public 
character,  and  the  testimony  of  some  of  his  pupils, 
and  other  intimate  friends ;  but  from  personal  ob- 
servation, attentively  made  in  a  number  of  most 
gratifying  interviews,  to  esteem  him  as  one  of  the 
holiest  of  men,  and  most  erudite  divines  of  the  age 
in  which  he  hved.  His  fund  of  theological  know- 
ledge was  unusually  great,  and  his  method  of  com- 
municating it,  even  in  common  conversation,  pe- 
culiarly happy  and  pleasing.  There  was,  in  his  in- 
tercourse with  his  friends,  a  sustained  dignity  of  de- 
meanour, united  with  a  courteous,  affectionate,  and 
even  familiar  manner,  such  as  I  think  I  have  never 
seen,  in  the  same  degree,  in  any  other  individual : 
and  these  qualities  of  the  accomplished  gentleman, 
received  in  him  their  highest  charm,  from  a  savour 
of  genuine  Christian  piety,  which  seemed  to  ac- 
company all  that  he  said  or  did.  I  seldom  left  his 
presence  without  finding  that  I  had  acquired  some 

♦14 


«iW(>  HIS    GENERAL    CHARACTER. 

useful  knowledge,  and  a  stronger  desire  to  make 
improvement  in  the  Christian  life.  Such  is,  truly, 
my  recollection  and  estimate  of  the  great  and 
good  man,  whose  biography,  I  am  glad  to  hear,  is  to 
be  given  to  the  public." 

The  following  is  fi'om  the  Rev.  Jacob  J.  Jane- 
way,  D.  D.  the  late  Professor  of  Didactic  and 
Polemic  Theology,  in  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. : — 

"  The  name  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Living- 
ston, I  shall  ever  hold  in  affectionate  and  grate- 
ful remembrance.  It  was  my  happiness  to  sit  un- 
der his  instruction  from  my  early  years  of  boyhood, 
till  I  received  my  lisensure  to  preach  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ." 

'^No  one  could  look  at  him  without  admiring  the 
nobleness  of  his  person.  His  presence  was  very 
commanding  ;  calculated  to  impress  on  the  mind  of 
beholders,  a  degree  of  reverence.  His  manners 
were  poHshed  and  courtly.  He  was  a  real  gentle- 
man, as  well  as  a  Christian  divine.  In  his  later  years, 
when  age  had  imparted  additional  dignity  to  him, 
his  appearance  was  that  of  a  venerable  patriarch. 
He  was  very  affectionate  to  his  friends.  In  my 
last  interview  with  him  at  his  residence,  a  short 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 


507 


time  before  his  death,  he,  in  consequence  of  an  in- 
correct vieAV  of  my  conduct,  supposed  he  had  rea- 
son to  complain  of  inattention  to  his  wishes,  in  re- 
gard to  a  matter  that  interested  his  feehngs.  Hav- 
ing admhiistered  a  reproof,  before  I  had  opportu- 
nity to  explain,  he  subjoined,  *but  I  love  you 
still.'  This  was  one  of  the  last  expressions  of  af- 
fectionate regard,  which  it  had  been  my  happiness 
and  honour  often  to  receive  from  him." 

"  His  colloquial  powers  were  remarkable.     He 
used  them  not  for  the  purpose  of  attracting  admir- 
ation, but  in  doing  good.     They,  as  well  as  all  his 
intellectual  faculties,  were  consecrated  to  the  glory 
of  his  Master.     Possessing,  in  consequence  of  such 
a  gift,  a  peculiar  facility  in  addressing  persons  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  and  giving  to  conversation 
a  pious  turn,  he  did  not  fail  to  embrace  every  suit- 
able opportunity  for  its  best  exercise.  While  pur- 
suing in  Holland  his  preparatory  studies  for  the 
ministry,  his  attention  was  one  day  attracted  by  a 
young  man  in  the  company  in  which  he  was  dining. 
After  dinner,  he  arose  from  his  seat,  and  tapping 
the  youth  on  the  shoulder,  invited  him  to  walk 
with  him  in  the  garden.     He  drew  his  attention  to 
the  great  subject  of  his  religion,  and  endeavoured 
to  awaken  his  conscience.     The  conversation  was 
blessed.     The  young  man  became  pious;  and,  like 


508        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTEK. 

another  Watts,  he  'filled  the  country  with  psalms 
and  hymns  in  praise  of  God." 

"  Dr.  L.  was  eminently  pious  and  devout.  He 
lived  near  to  the  throne  of  grace.  His  gift  in 
prayer  was  great.  He  used  a  holy  familiarity  with 
God.  He  drew  nigh  to  the  mercy-seat  with  reve- 
rence ;  but  he  pleaded  with  the  freedom  and  con- 
fidence which  a  child  uses  with  a  parent,  whom  he 
reveres  and  loves^  He  once  remarked,  that  the 
prayers  of  an  advanced  Christian  are  distinguished, 
not  by  going  over  the  lofty  titles  of  Jehovah,  but 
by  using  the  tender  appellation  of  '  Father. '  The 
encomium  passed  on  one  who  was  translated  to 
heaven,  without  being  subject  to  the  pains  of  death, 
might  truly  be  applied  to  him ;  *  He  walked  with 
God.'  Our  venerable  father  was  not,  like  the 
patriarch,  translated  bodily  to  heaven,  yet  the  sepa- 
ration of  his  soul  from  his  body  was  so  easy, 
that  he  appears  to  have  been  exempted  from  the 
pains  of  dissolving  nature.    He  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.'* 

"  Among  the  preachers  of  his  day.  Dr.  L.  held 
a  distinguished  rank.  His  discourses  were  at  once 
doctrinal  and  practical ;  instructive  and  experimen- 
tal ;  pungent  and  consoling.  So  famihar  was  he 
with  divine  truth,  that  he  could  preach  in  a  profit- 
able manner,  with  little  or  no  preparation.     On  one 


HIS  GENERAL  CHAKACTEK.        509  '^ 

occasion,  I  heard  him  deliver,  in  the  morning  of 
the  Sabbath,  an  excellent  discourse  on  the  provi- 
dence of  God  ;  and  afterwards  he  told  me,  he  had 
selected  his  text  while  eating  his  breakfast,  and  said 
*'  these  thoughts  have  passed  through  my  mind  an 
hundred  times."  Experienced  Christians  were 
particularly  attracted  to  his  ministry  ;  because  he 
was  able,  from  the  rich  treasury  of  his  own  Chris- 
tian experience  of  divine  things,  and  intimate  ac- 
quaiiitance  with  personal  reUgion,  to  bring  forth  in 
all  his  discourses  something  for  their  edification." 

"It  may  not  be  generally  known  to  those  who  can 
recollect  the  deep  bass  tones  of  his  voice,  that  they 
were  originally  very  different.  He  once  told  me, 
that  his  voice  resembled  that  of  the  late  venerable 
Doctor  Rodgers ;  it  was  treble  in  a  high  degree, 
and  in  utterance  required  a  painful  exertion.  He 
felt  the  necessity  of  changing  it,  and  was  induced 
to  attempt  it  by  the  following  circumstance.  *  I 
was,'  said  he  *  while  in  Holland,  amusing  myself 
one  day  with  playing  on  a  vioUn.  I  was  struck  in 
observing  the  distance  to  which  the  sound  seemed 
to  be  conveyed,  when  the  bass  chord  was  touched. 
I  tried  it  again,  and  from  that  moment  determined 
to  change  my  voice.'    He  succeeded." 

"  Soon  after  his  return  from  Holland,  Dr.  L.  was 


31U        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTEK. 

appointed  to  the  office  of  Professor  of  Theology 
in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  For  the  duties  of 
this  office,  when  I  had  the  advantage  of  attending 
his  lectures,  he  was  eminently  qualified,  and  second 
to  no  man  in  this  country.  He  was  learned  and 
extensively  read  in  theological  books,  especially 
those  written  in  the  Dutch  and  Latin  languages. 
With  the  Greek  and  Hebrew  he  was  acquainted  ; 
and  so  famiUar  with  the  Latin,  that  as  he  once  in- 
formed me,  while  in  Holland  pursuing  his  studies,  he 
used  to  dream  in  that  language.  At  the  time  I 
prosecuted  my  preparatory  studies,  the  Professor 
retained  his  pastoral  relation  to  the  Collegiate 
Churches  in  New- York ;  and  yet  incumbered  as  he 
was  with  ministerial  duty,  he  delivered  during  six 
months  in  the  year,  three  lectures  a  week,  and  at- 
tended to  the  compositions  of  his  students.  His 
lectures  were  not  written  ;  and  during  the  delivery 
of  them,  he  indulged  us  with  the  privilege  of  inter- 
rupting him  by  proposing  questions,  that  occurred 
at  the  moment  to  our  minds.  Such  interruptions 
occasioned  no  embarrassment  to  him.  He  kindly 
answered  the  inquiries,  and  then  proceeded  with  his 
lecture.  After  his  removal  to  New-Brunswick,  and 
his  entire  devotion  to  the  duties  of  his  professor- 
ship, I  cannot  doubt  that  his  lectures  were  much 
improved,  and  that  his  pupils  enjoyed  superior  ad- 
vantages." 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.         511 

"  Strong  attachment  to  teachers,  may  render  us 
partial  to  them.  But  much  as  I  revere  the  me- 
mory of  my  late  venerable  preceptor  in  theology,  I 
think  I  have  w^ritten  nothing  but  the  truth  ;  and 
when  I  add,  that  he  was  a  great  and  a  good  man, 
to  whom  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is  much  in- 
debted, I  utter  an  encomium  to  which  hundreds 
who  knew  Doctor  Livingston,  will  cordially  sub- 
join their  testimony." 

"  I  wish  I  could  pay  a  better  tribute  of  praise 
to  the  talents,  the  worth,  the  excellence,  and  piety 
of  one  whose  memory  will  always  be  dear  to  me. 
Such  as  it  is,  I  submit  it  to  your  discretion,  to  be 
used  in  any  way  you  please,  for  the  honour  of  that 
venerable  man,  who  deserves  to  be  honoured  ;  and 
who,  doubtless,  has  received  from  his  Lord  and 
Master,  an  honour  far  superior  to  any  that  mortals 
can  record." 

Another  communication  from  the  pen  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory and  Church  Government,  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Princeton,  N.  J.  remains  yet  to  be 
inserted,  and  it  is  in  these  words  : 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  In  attempting  to  comply  with  your  request, 
that  I  would  communicate  to  you  my  impressions 


512        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

of  the  character  of  the  late  truly  excellent  and 
venerable  Professor  Livingston,  I  experience 
mmgled  feelings  of  pleasure  and  embarrassment. 
Of  pleasure,  because  I  can  never  call  to  my  re- 
collection, the  image  of  that  invaluable  man  and 
divine,  without  rejoicing  that  I  ever  knew  him  ; 
and  because  I  consider  it  as  a  privilege  to  be  favour- 
ed  with  an  opportunity  of  making  the  humblest 
contribution  toward  embalming  his  memory.  Of 
embarrassment,  because  it  is  difficult  to  divest  my- 
self of  the  feeling,  that  for  one  so  much  his  junior 
in  age  and  standing,  to  appear  as  a  witness  of  his 
worth,  will  be  thought  by  some  liable  to  the  charge 
of  presumption  or  vanity.  Yet,  as  you  call  upon 
me,  I  will  speak.  And,  as  I  belong  to  a  different 
ecclesiastical  denomination  from  that  with  which  he 
was  connected  ;  and  as  I  never  owed  him  any 
other  obligations  than  those  which  his  personal 
excellence,  and  the  pleasure  and  instruction  which 
I  frequently  derived  from  his  conversation  impos- 
ed, my  testimony  may,  perhaps,  be  regarded  as 
disinterested  and  impartial." 

"  My  acquaintance  with  Dr.  Livingston  began 
when  he  was  far  advanced  in  life,  and  when  I  was, 
I  had  almost  said,  in  my  clerical  boyhood.  On  my 
first  visit  to  New- York,  in  1792,  my  friend,  and  my 
father's  friend,  and  soon  afterwards  my  colleague. 


HIS   GENERAL    CHARACTER.  t5l3 

the  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers,  (whose  name  I  can  never 
mention,  without  associating  with  it  some  epithet 
of  honour,  and  some  emotion  of  filial  affection,)  in- 
troduced me  to  him  as  one  whose  acquaintance  and 
friendship  he  deemed  peculiarly  worth  cultivating. 
At  my  first  interview  with  him,  I  was  struck  with 
his  venerable  and  commanding  figure ;  his  truly 
gentlemanly  deportment ;  his  condescending  kind- 
ness to  the  young  and  inexperienced  ;  his  instruc- 
tive conversation ;  his  unusual  famiharity  with 
every  thing  relating  to  biblical  and  theological 
inquiries  ;  his  deep  spirituality  ;  and  his  evident 
disposition  to  encourage  youthful  candidates  for  the 
sacred  office.  And,  although  there  was  something 
in  his  manners  which,  at  that  time,  impressed  me 
rather  unpleasantly,  as  characterized  by  a  court- 
liness, approaching  to  the  pomp  of  formality ;  yet 
the  disagreeable  impression  from  this  source  be- 
came less  and  less,  as  my  acquaintance  with  him 
became  more  intimate  ;  until  it  was,  at  length,  for- 
gotten amidst  the  predominant  influence  of  his 
varied  and  rich  excellence.  From  that  time,  until 
his  death,  I  continued  to  seek  and  enjoy  much  in- 
tercourse with  him ;  and  was  called  to  act  with 
him  on  a  variety  of  interesting  occasions.  And,  to 
the  last,  I  am  constrained  to  say,  with  a  growing 
conviction  of  the  value  of  his  character,  both  as  a 
friend  and  as  a  minister  of  Christ." 

65 


aI4 


HIS    GENERAL    CHARACTER. 


"  The  characteristic  of  this  venerable  man,  which 
most  deeply  impressed  me  at  my  first  acquaintance 
with  him,  and  which  continued  to  deepen  its  im- 
pression on  me,  up  to  my  last  interview  with  him, 
was  his  ardent,  habitual  piety.     I  know  not  that  I 
ever  met  with  a  man,  whose  daily  and  hourly  con- 
versation indicated  a  mind  more  unremittingly  de- 
vout, or  more  strongly  marked  with  the  exercises  of 
the  deeply  experimental  Christian.     His  manner, 
indeed,  of  conducting  conversation  on  practical  re- 
ligion, was  his  own,  and  would  not  have  set  well  on 
many  other  men.     Yet,  I  think,  I  never  withdrew 
from  his  company,  without  carrying  with  me  the  im- 
pression, that  I  had  been  conversing  with  a  man 
who  walked  more  by  faith  ;  who  was  favoured  with 
a  larger  measure  of  the  assurance  of  hope ;  and 
who  enjoyed  more  intimate  communion  with  God, 
than  most  even  of  those  who  are  deemed  fervently 
pious.     So  far  as  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observ- 
ing,   this    characteristic  of   my  friend    appeared 
abroad  and  at  home  ;  in  the  house  and  by  the  way ; 
in  sitting  down,  and  in  rising  up,  with  a  constancy 
and  prominence,  which  could  not  fail  to  convince 
every  one  that  it  was  the  inwrought  habit  of  his 
mind." 

"Asa  mature  and  accomplished  theologian^  Dr. 
I  iivingston  was  greatly  and  justly  distinguished.   Of 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTEK.         515 

his  eminent  advantages  for  study  in  foreign  uni- 
versities, lie  had  richly  availed  himself.  And  I  have 
seldom  seen  a  divine  who  appeared  more  'at  home, 
in  every  species  of  theological  and  biblical  dis- 
cussion, which  could  be  started  in  his  presence.  I 
have  witnessed  instances  of  this,  when  it  was  mani- 
fest that  the  discussion  was  altogether  unexpected 
to  him,  and  when  it  was  impossible  he  should  have 
made  any  preparation  for  it,  which,  with  all  my 
previous  respect  for  his  attainments,  greatly  surpris- 
ed me.  It  sometimes  appeared  to  me,  indeed,  that 
he  had  not  been  so  careful  to  seek  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  later  theological  writers  and 
biblical  critics,  as  his  early  habits  of  diligent  and  in- 
quisitive study  might  have  led  one  to  anticipate. 
But  with  the  best  English  and  Dutch,  and  especial- 
ly with  the  best  Latin  writers  on  theology,  both 
systematic  and  expository,  who  occupied  the  atten- 
tion of  theological  inquirers,  at  the  date  of  his  stu- 
dies in  *  *  *  *  Utrecht,  he  had  a  depth  and  fa- 
miliarity of  acquaintance,  truly  uncommon.  It  was, 
indeed,  his  opinion,  that  no  one  can  be  entitled  to 
the  character  of  a  theologian,  without  being  in 
some  good  degree  familiar  with  the  old  systematic 
and  topical  writers  of  the  Reformed  Churches, 
who  flourished  on  the  continent  of  Europe  in  the  six- 
teenth, seventeenth,  and  beginning  of  the  eighteenth 
centuries.      He  thought  there  was  an  extent  of 


516        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

learning,  and  a  vigour,  depth,  and  completeness  of 
discussion  in  their  works,  so  remarkable,  that  no 
man  ought  to  consider  himself  as  having  learned  the 
substance  of  all  tliat  can  be  said  for  or  against  any 
given  point  in  polemic  theology,  who  is  ignorant 
of  what  those  distinguished  men  have  written.  I 
was  never  so  happy  as  to  hear  or  to  read  any  of  the 
lectures,  delivered  by  Dr.  Livingston  from  his  offi- 
cial chair.  But  the  unvarying  testimony  of  those 
who  had  enjoyed  the  privilege,  was  not  only  deci- 
sively, but  very  strongly  in  favour  of  them,  as  mani- 
festing uncommon  accuracy  and  maturity  of  theolo- 
gical knowledge.  If,  as  I  have  often  understood, 
they  did  not  abound  so  much  in  references  to  the 
works  and  opinions  of  different  divines,  as  might 
have  been  gratifying  to  some  inquisitive  listeners ; 
they  indicated  so  much  discrimination,  judgment, 
and  clearness,  as  to  convince  every  hearer  that  he 
had  read  extensively  and  thought  much,  and  was 
well  qualified  to  instruct  on  every  subject  which 
he  undertook  to  elucidate.  " 

"  As  a  preacher,  our  venerable  departed  friend, 
deservedly  enjoyed  a  high  reputation.  He  sel- 
dom or  never,  I  believe,  wrote  his  sermons  fully 
out ;  and  very  often,  more  especially  towards  the 
close  of  life,  preached  without  writing  at  all.  Hence 
^re  was  by  no  means  remarkable  for  that  terse. 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        517 

polished,  rhetorical  style  of  sermonizing,  in  which 
some  distinguished  preachers  have  succeeded  so 
admirably.  The  great  excellence  of  his  preaching 
consisted  rather  in  the  solidity  and  excellence  of 
the  matter,  than  in  the  refinement  of  the  manner. 
He  was  generally  diffuse,  and  sometimes  circuitous 
in  his  expositions  and  illustrations  ;  but  generally 
rich  in  thought;  always  solemn  and  experimen- 
tal ;  sometimes  in  a  high  degree  powerful ;  and 
seldom  failed  to  keep  up,  and  to  reward  to  the  last, 
the  attention  of  all  classes  of  his  hearers,  especially 
of  the  more  deeply  pious.  1  have  more  than  once 
heard  him  lament,  that  while  so  many  preachers 
were  well  fitted  to  become  instruments  of  awaken- 
ing, convincing,  and  converting  the  impenitent ;  so 
few  were  well  qualified  to  build  up  believers.  He 
considered  the  gifts  and  graces  peculiarly  adapted 
to  this  department  of  ministerial  work,  -fspe  com-  /j^ 
paratively  rare,  but  inestimably  precious.  And 
although  he  did  not  claim  these  quahfications  for 
himself;  yet,  if  I  mistake  not,  he  was  regarded  by 
others  as  possessing  them,  in  a  remarkable  degree  ; 
and  as  more  strikingly  adapted  to  build  up  the 
people  of  God  in  knowledge,  holiness,  and  comfort, 
than  to  alarm  the  careless.  His  delivery  in  the 
pulpit  always  struck  me  as  peculiar.  There  was 
a  vivacity  and  a  force  about  it,  even  in  very  advan- 
ced hfe,  not  often  witnessed  in  the  youngest  preach- 


5lS        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

ers.  To  some,  indeed,  the  amount  of  his  gesture 
appeared  to  be  excessive.  But  after  hearing  him 
a  few  times,  it  became  so  perfectly  manifest  that  it 
was  all  natural  to  him,  that  it  ceased  to  impress 
otherwise  than  agreeably." 

"  This  excellent  man  was  a  great  enemy  to  me- 
taphysical and  philosophical  preaching ;  and  often 
remarked,  that,  if  men  even  became  real  Christians 
mider  such  preaching,  they  walked  in  trammels, 
and  never  seemed  to  enjoy  the  riches  and  simpli- 
city of  the  grace  which  is  in  Christ.  He,  therefore, 
seldom  employed  much  of  human  argument  in  his 
discourses.  They  consisted,  almost  exclusively, 
of  plain,  simple,  Bible  truth,  in  Bible  language. 
And  he  seemed,  especially  toward  the  close  of  life, 
to  have  a  conviction,  every  day  increasing  in  depth 
and  weight,  that  this  method  of  preaching  the 
Gospel,  is  the  only  one  which  prouiises  to  revive 
pure  and  undefiled  religion,  or  to  do  much  good  to 
the  souls  of  men.  To  adopt  this  conclusion  and 
to  act  upon  it,  has  ever  been,  1  believe,  the  final 
result  of  the  most  enhghtened  wisdom,  and  the 
richest  experience  of  the  best  ministers  the  Chris- 
tian Church  has  ever  seen." 

"  The  native  powers  of  Dr.  Livingston's  mind, 
were   clear,   orderly,  sohd  and  vigorous ;  rather 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        519 

adapted  to  investigation  and  instruction,  than  to 
dazzle  or  to  astonish.  In  his  physical  tempera- 
ment, if  I  mistake  not,  he  was  cautious  and  timid, 
rather  than  bold.  This  feature  in  his  character 
had,  perhaps,  an  important  influence  on  his  whole 
history.  It  prevented  his  appearing  more  fre- 
quently before  the  public  as  an  author,  for  which 
his  few  printed  works  shew  him  to  have  been  well 
qualified.  His  sermon  before  the  New- York  Mis- 
sionary Society,  is  one  of  the  few  which  will  be  in- 
quired for  long  after  the  occasion  which  gave  it  birth, 
has  been  forgotten.  And  his  volume  on  the  mar- 
riage of  a  Deceased  Wife's  Sister,  which  espouses 
the  side  of  this  question  commonly  taken  by  the 
majority  of  the  orthodox,  undoubtedly  does  honour 
both  to  the  head  and  the  heart  of  the  writer.  The 
natural  temperament,  above  alluded  to  also,  I  have 
no  doubt  sometimes  interfered  with  that  decision 
and  enterprise,  which  are  so  important  to  the  high- 
est success  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel." 

"  Great  decision  and  enterprise  of  character  in  an 
ecclesiastic,  when  guided  by  ambition,  are,  no 
doubt,  equally  criminal  and  mischievous ;  but, 
when  guided  by  Christian  benevolence  and  disinte- 
rested zeal,  lead  to  the  happiest  results.  Eminent 
as  the  usefulness  of  this  great  and  good  man  was, 
it  would  probably  have  been  still  more  eminent, 


520        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

had  he  possessed  a  larger  measure  of  those  quali- 
ties, which  fit  their  possessor  to  venture  on  difficult 
undertakings,  and  to  encounter  the  most  formidable 
opposition  with  untiring  activity,  and  with  calm 
fixedness  of  purpose.  He  was  much  better  adap- 
ted to  shine  as  the  enlightened,  pious,  dignified,  and 
revered  head  of  a  tranquil  and  flourishing  i  istitu- 
tion,  than  to  cope  with  contentious  spirits  ;  to  har- 
monize jarring  elements  ;  to  wield  the  boisterous 
passions,  and  conciliate  the  conflicting  plans  of 
ardent  partizans.  Melancthon  was  probably  as 
pious  as  Luther.,  and  had,  in  some  respects,  quite 
as  much  talent  and  more  learning.  But  he  had 
less  decision  of  character  ;  less  power  over  the 
minds  of  men  ;  and  less  of  that  peculiar  faculty, 
which  appears  to  so  much  advantage  in  composing 
and  uniting  heterogeneous  materials.  For  Lu- 
ther's mode  of  serving  the  Church,  Dr.  Livingston 
was  not  so  peculiarly  adapted  as  many  men  of  in- 
ferior standing.  His  appropriate  Hne  was  that 
which  the  great  Head  assigned  to  him ; — to  train 
her  rising  ministry,  and  by  his  learning,  his  fervent 
piety,  his  Christian  dignity,  his  prudence,  and  his 
retiring  holy  example,  to  prepare  men  to  be 
heralds  of  that  kingdom,  which  is  '  righteousness, 
and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.' " 

"  He  was  a  great  lover  of  peace ;  and  was  ever 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        621 

found  the  patron  of  peaceful  measures,  as  far  as 
this  course  could  possibly  be  pursued  without  the 
abandonment  of  truth.  To  this,  as  I  have  already 
hinted,  he  was  impelled  by  temperament  as  well  as 
by  principle.  As  he  was  not  well  qualified  himself 
'  to  ride  in  the  whirlwind,  and  direct  the  storm  ;'  so 
he  regretted  to  find  the  spirit  of  controversy,  or  of 
theological  or  ecclesiastical  innovation,  reigning  in 
any  of  his  pupils,  and  never  failed,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, to  repress  it.  He  never  appeared  to  me  to 
have  the  least  tincture  of  that  spirit,  which  has  ship- 
wrecked the  faith  and  usefiilness  of  many  an  inge- 
nious minister,  and  inflicted  many  a  severe  wound  on 
the  peace  of  the  Church.  I  mean  the  spirit  of  fond- 
ness for  novelties  in  doctrine  or  practice ;  an  ambi- 
tion to  be  hailed  as  the  author  of  some  original 
scheme.  No  man,  perhaps,  of  his  talent  and  learn- 
ing, ever  loved  more  to  '  inquire  for  the  good  old 
way,'  and  to  *  walk  in  the  footsteps  of  the  flock." 

"  The  social  and  domestic  character  of  our  depart- 
ed father,  was  peculiarly  exemplary.  Indeed,  in 
his  mode  of  discharging  all  the  social  and  relative 
duties  of  life,  there  was  a  mixture  of  the  tenderness 
and  loftiness  of  Christian  feeling  and  Christian  prin- 
ciple, truly  striking.  In  the  shortest  interview  of 
friendship,  business  or  ceremony,  as  well  as  in  the 
most  common  offices  of  domestic  affection,  vou 

m 


OmZ  his  general  character. 

plainly  saw  that  you  were  in  the  presence  of  a  man 
who  had  seen  much  of  the  world ;  whose  feelings 
were  habitually  benevolent ;  and  in  whose  bosom 
the  Christian  character  was  predominant  in  every 
thing." 

"  In  fine,  Dr.  Livingston  was  one  of  a  class  of 
Ministers,  who  have  now  nearly  passed  away. 
They  were  emphatically  of  the  '  Old  School.'  In 
using  this  expression,  I  have  no  reference  to  any 
particular  doctrines  of  theology  ;  though  he  himself 
often  adverted  with  pleasure  to  this  sense  of  the 
phrase,  as  applicable  to  his  creed  and  preaching. 
But  I  refer  to  a  certain  style  of  deportment  and  of 
character,  which,  if  I  mistake  not,  was  far  more 
common  forty  or  fifty  years  ago,  than  at  the  present 
day.  The  ministers  alluded  to,  with  endless  di- 
versity in  other  respects,  were  remarkable  for  that 
pious  gravity,  dignity,  and  urbanity,  which  evinced 
that,  in  all  situations  and  companies,  they  were  mind- 
ful of  their  high  calling,  and  under  the  influence  of 
that  wisdom,  prudence,  and  spirituality,  which  are 
from  above.  They  were  no  strangers  to  cheerful- 
ness, and  were  often  even  facetious  and  sportive. 
But  their  sportiveness  was  ever  marked  by  Chris- 
tian dignity  and  dehcacy.  It  was  apparent  that 
they  respected  themselves,  and  respected  their 
officc;^     They  did  not  let  themselves  down  in  com- 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        523 

pany  by  undue  familiarity,  by  levity,  by  coarse  or 
unseasonable  anecdotes,  or  by  a  rude  invasion  of 
the  feelings  of  others.  And  you  never  departed 
from  the  company  of  one  of  them,  without  being 
made  to  feel  that  you  had  been  conversing  with  a 
man  of  God,  who  lived  and  acted  for  another  and  a 
better  world.  To  this  class  of  ministers  belonged 
our  late  venerable  friend.  Wherever  he  appeared, 
he  threw  around  him  an  influence  which  repress- 
ed frivolity,  impiety,  and  profaneness.  This  he 
effected,  not  by  an  air  of  grimace  or  sanctimonious- 
ness ;  not  by  moroseness  or  austerity  ;  but  by  that 
grave,  elevated,  apostohcal  style  of  manners, 
which  all  saw  and  felt,  and  before  which  profligacy, 
and  even  brutality,  were  awed  into  temporary 
decorum.  Of  this  I  have  known  instances,  in  his 
case,  which  if  I  were  able  to  describe  them  with  a 
graphic  spirit,  approaching  to  the  manner  in  which 
they  addressed  themselves  to  the  eye  and  ear, 
when  they  occurred,  would  greatly  instruct  as  well 
as  amuse.  But  I  cannot  thus  describe  them,  and 
shall  not  attempt  it.  There  is  so  much  in  looks, 
tones,  and  gestures,  which  cannot  be  expressed  in 
words,  and  which  yet  is  deeply  powerful,  that  you 
will  readily  understand  why  I  shrink  from  the  task." 

"  Such  impressive  examples  are  extremely  rare. 
At  least  they  are  rare  among  that  portion  of  the 


524  HIS    GJEJVERAL    CHARACTER. 

Christian  ministry  in  the  United  States,  with  which 
I  am  best  acquainted.  "  I  do  not  doubt,  indeed, 
that  we  have  among  the  present  race  of  evangehcal 
ministers,  as  large  an  average  amount  of  piety,  zeal, 
and  unwearied  labour,  as  among  any  that  ever 
adorned  our  country.  But  unless  I  am  deceived, 
as  ministers  have  multiplied  in  our  country,  that 
tone  of  official  gravity  and  dignity  which  I  have 
attempted  to  describe,  which  flows  from  a  happy 
mixture  of  habitual  seriousness,  prudence,  bene- 
volence, and  the  delicate  perception  of  what  is  pro- 
per, and  which  is  so  much  adapted  to  make  both  a 
pleasing  and  a  useful  popular  impression,  has  been 
perceptibly  reduced." 

"  For  the  reasons  of  this  fact,  if  it  be  a  fact,  I 
shall  not,  at  present,  attempt  to  inquire  :  yet  I  can 
neither  doubt  that  it  is  so,  nor  forbear  to  lament  it. 
When,  therefore,  I  received  the  intelligence,  that 
our  venerable  friend  was  no  more,  amidst  the  many 
tender  and  interesting  emotions  which  filled  my 
mind,  I  could  not  help  regretting  that  one  of  the 
most  truly  respectable  and  commanding  examples 
of  the  style  of  character  to  which  I  have  referred, 
had  departed  from  the  view  ""of  the  American 
Church." 

•'  But  1  am  carried  to  an  improper  length,  byni} 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        525 

alliection  and  veneration  for  this  excellent  man,  and 
must  stop.  May  that  God  whose  he  was,  and 
whom  he  so  faithfully  served,  preside  over  your 
undertaking,  and  enable  you  to  form  a  memorial  of 
his  useful  hfe,  which  shall  be  a  rich  blessing  to  the 
Church  of  Christ !  Nor  can  I  form  a  more  friendly 
wish  for  the  Church,  or  for  our  beloved  country, 
than  that  our  theological  seminaries  may  send 
forth,  from  year  to  year,  many  a  herald  of  salvation, 
resembling  him  whose  history  you  are  charged 
with  compiling." 

"  If  the  foregoing  hasty  sketch  should,  in  the 
least  degree,  subserve  your  purpose,  it  will  give 
me  cordial  gratification.  I  regard  it  as  equally  an 
honour,  and  a  pleasure,  to  record  this  testimony  in 
favour  of  an  eminently  useful  servant  of  Christ, 
whom  I  knew  well ;  whose  memory  I  love  to 
cherish ;  and  with  whom  I  hope,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  to  be  for  ever  united  in  a  better  world. 
"  I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 
With  very  great  regard, 

Your  friend  and  brother  in  the  Gospel, 
"  SAMUEL  MILLER. 
"  Princeton,  Nov.  15,  1828." 

After  having  submitted  these  ample  testimonies, 
from  sources  so  respectable,  it  may  be  thought 


526        HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER. 

quite  superfluous  for  the  writer  to  add  another 
word,  and  he  will  presume  to  make  but  a  single 
remark  more  before  he  concludes  the  Memoir; 
and  that  is,  that  this  man  of  God,  whose  character  he 
has  endeavoured  faithfully  to  exhibit,  by  divinegrace, 
held  on  the  even  tenour  of  his  way  to  the  very  last, 
with  an  unblemished  reputation  ;  or  it  can  be  truly 
said  of  him,  as  it  was  once  said  of  another,*  *'  If  the 
breath  of  slander  ever  touched  him,  it  was  like 
breathing  on  a  minor  of  steel ; — the  dimness  pass- 
ed away  in  an  instant,  leaving  the  polished  surface 
brighter  than  before."  And,  indeed,  one  who  mani- 
fested less  of  human  depravity  in  his  life,  public 
and  private,  or  more  of  those  valuable  gifts  and 
graces,  and  more  of  that  habitual  and  conscientious 
regard  to  things  true,  honest,  just,  pure,  lovely, 
which  constitute  the  foundation  of  extensive  useful- 
ness, and  of  that  good  name  that  is  better  than 
precious  ointment,  has  not  been  often  seen. 

He  is  now  to  be  seen  no  longer  here  below  ;  but 
the  monuments  of  wisdom,  piety,  and  zeal,  which 
he  has  left  behind,  will,  and  must  long,  endear  his 
memory  to  the  Church.  The  remembrance  of  the 
name  of  John  H.  Livings!  on,  and  of  the  talents, 
the  virtues,  the  services,  the  example  of  this  much 

*  Dr.  Balfour. 


HIS  GENERAL  CHARACTER.        527 

loved  and  justly  honoured  servant  of  Christ,  will  be 
gratefully  cherished. 

God,  in  whose  hand  it  is  to  make  great,  and  to 
give  strength  unto  all,  raised  him  up  and  qualified 
him  to  act  so  useful,  responsible,  and  honourable  a 
part  in  his  day ;  and  the  Church  in  whose  com- 
munion he  lived  and  died — having  so  great  reason 
to  remember  him  as  a  benefactor,  as  well  as  a 
burning  and  shining  light  while  he  lived,  will  cer- 
tainly give  the  glory  to  God  and  say — Now,  there- 
fore, OUR  God  we  thank  Thee,  and  praise  thy 
glorious  name. 


end  of  the  memoir. 


ERRATA. 

Page  16,  (or  judgement,  read  judgment. 

198  (or  piety  or  ministerial  gift,  read  piety  or  ministe- 
rial gifts. 

224  for  prases,  read  praeses. 

423  (in  a  few  copies^  for  Mphonso    Turretene,  rend 

Alphonsus  Turretin. 


CONTEIXTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Containing  a  short  Account  of  his  Jlncestnj. 

Page. 

Introductory  Remarks, » 13 — 16 

His  Great  Great  Grandfather,  the  Rev.  John  Living- 
ston, of  Scotland, 16 

The  Ancestors  of  this  eminent  Servant  of  Christ,  and 

Sketch  of  his  Life «  17—30 

Converted,  studies  Theology,  and  preaches  at  the  age 

of  twenty-two, 17 — 19 

Preaches  at  Shotts,  after  a  Communion,  and  at  Holy- 
wood — Good  Effects  of  these  Sermons, 20 — 27 

Sails  for  America,  to  escape   Persecution,  and  is 

driven  back, 28 

Banished  from  Great-Britain,  and  flees  to  Holland,  29 

Settles,  and  dies  in  Rotterdam, 30 

Pious  Ancestry  honourable, 30 — 32 

An  Account  of  Robert,  the  son  of  John,  and  of  his 

three  sons,  Philip,  Robert  and  Gilbert, 33 — 34 

An  Account  of  Henry,  the  son  of  Gilbert,  and  father 

of  John  H.,...,. 35 

CHAPTER  H. 

From  his  Birth,  till  he  formed  the  Resolution  of  devoting 
himself  to  the  Ministry  of  the   Gospel. 

Introductory  Remarks, , »,,*,,»,,,»*» 36 — '31 

67 


530  CONTENTS. 

His  Birth — Early  Education — ^Admission  into  Yale  Page. 

College, 38-— 40 

Remarks  upon  the  Education  of  the  Time 41 

His  Attainments — Anecdote — Completion  of  his  Col- 
legiate Course, 42 

Commences  the  Study  of  Law  in  the  Office  of  B. 

Crannel,  Esq.  of  Poughkeepsie, 43 

His  amiable  Character  and  Conduct  while  a  Youth,  44 

His  early  Religious  Impressions — 1\  emarks  upon  them,  46' — 49 
An  Account  of  his   Conversion — Views    of  certain 

Doctrines — Remarks, 50 — 56 

Description  of  his  Religious   Exercises,  continued, 

with  Remarks, 57 — 64 

State  of  his  Health — A  singular  Deliverance  related,  64- — 68 
Quits   the  Law — His    Views   and   Exercises  upon 

making  choice  of  Theology, 68 — 73 

Remarks, 73—76 

Obtains  his  Father's  consent  to  this  change  of  his 
Professional  Studies,  and  a  promise  of  the  neces- 
sary pecuniary  assistance, 76 


CHAPTER  HL 

The  State  of  the  B.eformed  Dutch  Church  in  JVorth  America, 
about  the  year  1765. 

A  brief  History  of  the  Church  from  its  rise, 76 — 84 

Extraordinary  Influence  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam — 

Case  of  Renslaer, 84 — 86 

The  Plan  of  a  Coetus  agreed  upon,  in  1737 — Names 
of  the  Ministers  and  Elders   who  agreed  to  the 

Plan— Notice   of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  86—87 

The  Coetus  constituted  in  1747, 88 

The  formation  of  a  Classis  proposed  in   1763 — Rea- 
sons in  favour  of  it — Proposal  popular, 89 — 91 


CONTENTS, 


531 


Page. 
The  Adherents  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  alarmed,  91 

The  Friends  of  an  Independent  Classis  called   Ccetus, 

those  opposed  called  Conferentie — Effects  of  the 

Controversy — Remarks, o 92  — 95 

Introduction  of  the  English  Language  in  the  Church — 

Circumstances  which  led  to  it, » 96 — 100 

Controversy  in  the  City  of  New- York  on  account  of 

the  Language — Consistory  resolve  to  call  an 

English  Preacher, 100—102 

Rev.  Archl.  Laidhe  called — A  short  Account  of  him 

— His  Settlement,  Popularity,  and  Usefulness,  103 — 107 
A  civil  Suit  instituted  against  Consistory — -Concluding 

Remarks, 107—109 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Circumstances  relating  to  his   Theological  Studies,  and  to 
the  Church  of  JVew- York. 
The  Influence  which  the  present  unhappy  state  of  the 

Church  had  on    Mr.   Livingston, 110 — 112 

His  own  Statement  of  the  Reasons  which  induced  him 

to  remain  in  the  Church — Remarks, 112 — 116 

The  Manner  in  which  he  spent  his  Time  in  the  Spring 

of  1765, 116 

His  Sentiments  upon  the  subject  of  the  Theatre, 116 — 119 

First  Interview  with  Dr.  Laidlie....... 120 

Prepares  to  go  to  Holland — Assertion  that  he  was 

aided  by  the  Church  of  New- York  contradicted, 

— Departure   from  New- York — And  Arrival   at 

Amsterdam, ^. 121 — 123 

Attentions  received  upon  his  Arrival — Determines  to 

pursue  his  Studies  at  Utrecht, 124 — 125 

Visits  the  Rev.  Mr.   Schorelenburgh,  of  Tienhoven,  126 


532  CONTENTS. 

Goes  to  Utrecht — Reception  by  Professor  Bonnett, —     Page. 

His  Prudence  in  the  choice  of  Companions, 126' — 128 

Visits  again    Mr.    SchoreUnburgh — Happy  Conse- 
quences ofthis  Visit, 129 — 130 

A  further  Account  of  the  Suit  instituted  against  the 

Consistory  of  New-York 131—140 

Determined  in  favour  of  Consistory— Abstracts  of  the 

Trial, 140—150 

Extracts  from  Letters  of  Dr.  LaidUe,  relative  to  this 

Trial, 148—154 

Concluding  Remarks....... 155 


CHAPTER  V. 

From  the  Commencement  of  his    studies   in  the    University  of 
Utrecht,  till  his  Return  to  JVew-York. 

Introductory  Observations, 156— -160 

Mr.  L.  commences  his  Studies  under  sever-^l  Profes- 
sors—Subjects  of  Study, 160—161 

His  Manner  of  pursuing  the  Study  of  Theology, 162 

His  Intimacy  with  some  praying  young  Men — Pro- 
fessor Elsnerus, 163 — 164 

A  Conflict  in  relation  to  the  Doctrine  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence— Remarks, 165 — 169 

Conversion  of  a  Stranger  under  his  pious  conversation,  170 — 171 

Conversion  ofa  Student  of  Law, 172 — 178 

The  difference  between  a  speculative  and  experimen- 
tal knowledge  of  the  Truth,  evinced  in  the  case  ofa 

Dr.  D 173—177 

An  Account  of  an  interesting  Conference, 177 — 181 

An  Account  of  the  Administration  of  Baptism  in  a  Bap- 
list  Church  in  Utrecht, 181 — 184 

Dr.  Witherspoon's  Visit — Mr.  Livingston's  Attentions 

to  him, , ,. 184 


CONTENTS.  538 

Measures  in  contemplation  between  them  for  the  bene-      Page, 
fit  of  the  D.  C.  in  America, 184—186 

The  CcBtus  Party  attempt  the  erection  of  an  Acade- 
my, but  encounter  difficulties, 187—189 

An  Extract  from  the  Charter  of  Queen's  College, 188 — 190 

The  appointment  of  a   Divinity-Professor  in  King's 

College  N.Y.  desired  by  some  of  the  Conferentie,  191 

A  Connexion  with  Princeton  College  meditated — Ex- 
tracts of  Letters  upon  the  subject — Remarks,..,  192 — 197 

The  Church  of  N.  Y.  think  of  calling  another  English 
Preacher — Mr.  L.  spoken  of — Fears  entertained 
as  to  the  strength  of  his  voice,  &c 198 

His  Aversion  to  the  observance  of  the  Holydays  dis- 
covered— Extracts  of  Letters  upon  the  subject 
addressed  to  him — -Remarks, 199 — 203 

A  Call  made  out  for  him,  and  forwarded, 204 

Licensure,  and  promising  character  of  his  first  public 

labours, 205-^207 

Concludes  to  present  himself  a  Candidate  for  the  De- 

greeof  Doctor  of  Divinity, 207 

His  Examinations  for  this  Degree,  and  Success, 208 — 212 

A  Call  from  a  Church  in  Amsterdam  declined, 209 

Embarkation  for  England — Arrival  there — Interview 

with  Dr.  Kennicott, 212 — 213 

Arrival  at  New- York, 214 


CHAPTER  VL 

From  his  Return  to  JVeiv-York,  till  the  Close  of  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

Arrives  on  a  Sabbath  Blorning — Preaches  the  next 

Sabbath — Is  duly  received  by  the  Church, 216 — 216 

Commences  with  zeal  the  discharge  of  Pastoral  Duties, 

and  is  highly  esteemed^..,., .•.«!•. iiMM>t.....tt>  216 — 219 


584  CONTENTS, 

Page. 

Endeavours  to  prepare  the  way  for  attempting  a  recon- 
ciliation  of  the  CcEtus  and   Conferentie  Parlies,  219 — 223 

Proposes  to  his  Consistory  that  they  should  invite,  by 

letters,  a  general  me;  ting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  223 — 224 

An  Account  of  the  Convention,  its  Proceedings  and 

good  Effects, 224 — 238 

Re-assembling  of  the  Convention,  and  Consummation 

of  the  Union,  in  Oct.1772, 238 

Remarks  upon  the  part  performed  by  Dr.  L.  in  this 

business, 239—240 

Testimonies  of  the  Respect  entertained   for  him, 240 — 242 

Measures  relative  to  the  appointment  of  a  Professor 

of  Theology, 243^245 

Dr.  L.  recommended  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 

and  the    Philological  Faculty  of  Utrecht, 245 

Convention  of  1775  makes  no  appointment,  and  sud- 
denly breaks  up.............. 246 

Notice  of  Philip  Livingston,^  Esq 247 

Dr.  L.  marries   Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Philip,  and  re- 
moves to  Kingston, 249 — 251 

Invitation  and  removal  to  Albany, 252 

Loss  of  his  Journal, 253 

Removal  to   Livingston's  Manor — Call  from  Albany 

— Removal  to  Poughkeepsie, 254 — 257 

ALett«rto  Dr.  Westerlo, 257—265 

Return  to  New- York  at  the  close  of  the  War, ....* 266 


CHAPTER.  Vn. 

From  the  Resumption  of  his  Pastoral  Charge,  at  the  close  of  the 

Revolutionai  y  War,  till  the  Adoption  of  the  Constitution 

of  the  Church,  in  1792. 

Introductory  Remarks, , 267 — 268 


CONTENTS.  535 

Page. 
Old  Church,  in  Garden  Street,  re-opened  in  Nov. — 

State  of  the  Congregation — Dr.  L.  sole  Pastor  268 — 270 
Extract  of  a  Letter  to  Dr.  Komeyn,  on  ihe  subject  of 

a  State  University, 270 — 271 

Extract  on  the  subject  oi  Queen's   College, 271 — 272 

Extract  on  the   subject  of  the  formation  of  a  Classis  in 

the  Southern  District, 272 

Convention  of  1784,  elects  Dr.  L.  Professor  of  The- 
ology— Appointment  accepted, 273 — 274 

Progress  of  Ecclesiastical  Organization  in  the  Dutch 

Church, 274 

Dr.   Livingston's  Inaugural  Oration, 375 

His    Epistolary  Correspondence — Letters  from  Dr. 

Erskine, 276—277 

Call  of  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Aarsdaalen  to  the  Church  in 

N.  ¥.— Extracts  from    the  Call 278—280 

The  first  attempt  to  establish  a  Correspondence  be- 
tween the  Dutch,   Presbyterian,  and   Associate 

Reformed  Churches, 280—282 

Union  College — Letter  to  Dr.  Romeyn  on  the  subject,  282 — 283 

Act  of  the  Legislature  relative  to  the  Election  of  Trus- 

tees  in  Congregations — Practice  of  the   Dutch 

Church — Dr.  L.'s  efforts  to  prev(  nt  an  interference 

with  that  practice — Letter  to  Dr.  Romeyn  on 

the  subject — Success  of  his  efforts 284 — 287 

Impaired  state  of  his  Health, , 287 

Labours  in  the  Congregation,  and  the  blessing  that  at- 
tended them, 288 

Removal  out  of  the  City  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  289 

Call  of  Dr.  Romeyn  to   N.  Y. — Letters  to  him  in 

reference  to  it, 289 — 292 

Call  of  Rev.  William  Linn — Dr.  li.'s  favourable  opinion 

of  him—Letters  to  Dr.  Romeyn, 292—294 


536  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Call  of  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers •••....  294 

Attention  to  Students  of  Theology — Examination  of 

Candidates, 295 

Address  of  the  Classical  Letter  from  Amsterdam,  no- 
ticed by  Dr.  L., 296—297 

Dr.  L.  Chairman  of  a  Committee  to  make  a  Selection 
of  Psalms — Extracts  of  Letters  to  Dr.  Romeyn 

touching  the  Selection, 297 — 300 

Letter  to  Dr  Hardenburgh — Character  of  Dr.  H......  301 — 306 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Judge   Livingston, 306 — 309 

Rev.  Dr.  Westerlo— Rev.    Dr.  H.    Meyer 310—311 

Dr.  L.  one  of  a  Committee  to  prepare  the  Constitution 

of  the  Church, 311 

Letters  in  relation  to  the  Work-  Adoption   of  the 

Constitution, 312 — 318 

Concludmg  Remarks, ..t.t. 320 


r 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

From  the  Adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Churchy  till  his 
Acceptance  oj  the  Cull  Jrom  JS'eiv-  Brunswick. 
The  Constitution  published   under  the  inspection  of 

Dr.  Livingston, 321 — 323 

Dr.  Livingston's  Communication  to  Dr  Linn,  relative 

to  a  proposed  Union   between    Brunswick  and 

Princeton  Colleges, 323 — 332 

His  affectionate  Conduct  in  his  Family, 332 — 333 

Intimacy  with  Drs.  Mason,  Rodgers,  and  Kunzie — 

Character  of  each  of  these  Divines 333 — 336 

Attentions  to  Youth — Letters  of  Lindley   and  John 

Murray, 336—339 

Feeble  state  of  his  Health — Increase  of  his  Pastoral 

Labours — Concern  for  his  Students,,, ,,..,.  340—342 


CONTENTS.  o37 

Measures  of  Synod,  to  enable  him  to  be  more  devoted        Page, 
to    Professoral  Duties — Reportof  a  Committee,  342 — 347 

In  compliance  with  the  request  of  Synod,  prepares  to 

remove  to  Long  Island, 347 

Rev.  Mr.  Abeel,  called  to  the  Church  of  New-York,  34S 

Loss  and  Inconvenience  to  which  his  Removal  sub- 
jected  him, 348 

Favourable  Prospects  of  the  School — Discourage- 
ments,    349 

Extracts  from  two  Letters  to  Dr.  Romeyn, 350 — 356 

Act  of  Synod  retracting  the  promise  of  their  support- 
Appointment  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn,  atsd  Kev.  «S. 
Froehgh,    additional   Professors    of    Theology,  357—358 

His  Return  to  New-York,  and  Christian  Behaviour 

under  these  Measures  of  Synod, 359 

His  Friendship  for  Dr.  R. Three  Letters, 360—368 

Character  of  Dr.  Romeyn, 366—367 

Plan  of  the  Professorate  again  altered — Dr.  Livingston 

chosen  permanent   Professor, 369 

Rev.  John  Basset,  and  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  ap- 
pointed Professors  of  the  Hebrew  Language,....  369 

Connexion  of  Dr.  Lmn  with  the  Church  in  New-York, 
dissolved — His  Letter  to  Dr.  Livingston, — 
Character  of  Dr.  Linn — Letter  of  Dr  Livingston 
upon  being  informed  of  his  Death, 370 — 373 

Ministerial  Labours  of  Dr.  Livingston,  upon  the  retire- 
ment of  Dr.  Linn, 373 — 374 

Zeal  in  promoting  Missionary  Operations — Missionary 

Sermons, 374 — 375 

Revival  of  Queen's  College — Covenant  between  the 

Synod  and  Trustees, 375 — 376 

Liberal  Subscriptions  in  behalf  of  the  Object  now 

contemplated, 377 

Dr.  Livingston  called  to  the  Professorship  of  Theology 
in  the  Institution,  and  to  the  Presidency  of  the 
same — Experiences  an  alarming  increase  of  In- 
firmities  , 377 

68 


588  CONTENTS. 

Consistory  excuse  him  from  a  part  of  iiis  usual  Ser-  Page. 

vices, 378 

Rev.  John   Schureraan,  and    Rev.  Jacob  Brodhead, 

called  to  the  Church  of  New- York 379 


CHAPTER  IX. 

From  hia  Removal  to  JVew-Brunsioicky  until  his  Death  and  Burial. 

Introductory  Remarks, 380 — 382 

Trustees  of  Queen's  College  make  another  Call  upon 

Dr.   L -  383 

Letter  to  his  Consistory,  communicating  his  intention 

to  remove. — Dr.  John  N.  Abeel, 383 — 388 

Answer  of  the  Consistory, 388 — 391 

Removal  and  Reception  at  New- Brunswick — Pur- 
chases a  House — Extracts  of  Letters, 391 — 394 

Commences  the  discharge  of  his  Duties  as  President 

and  Professor — State  and  Prospects  of  the  School  394 — 396 

Publishes  a  Work,  entitled  "  A  Funeral   Service" — 

Resolution  of  Synod — Remarks...... 396 — 397 

Appointed  to   make  a  new   Selection  of  Psalms  and 

Hymns — Selection  approved — Letter  to  L  L.  Kip,  397 — 400 

Death  of  Dr.  Condict,  Vice-President  of  the  College, 

and  of  two  promising  Youths, 401 

Extract  from  Dr.  L's  Commencement  Address, 402 — 404 

Rev.  Mr.  Schureman  succeeds  Dr.  Condict — De- 
pressed State  of  the  College — Rev.  Mr.  Van 
Harlingen, 405 

Attempt  made   to  bring  the  School  back   to  N,  Y. — 

Two  Letters  to  L  L.  Kip, 406 — 411 

Death  of  Mrs.  Livingston — Letters  relative  to  the 

Event, 412—418 

Plan  to  convert  Queen's   College  into  a  Theological 

College — Letter  to  Dr.  J.  B.  Romeyn 418 — 420 

Letter  of  Dr.  R.  when  in  Holland  to  Dr.  L, 421 — 423 

Synod  adopt  the  Plan  of  Dr.  L. — Report  of  a  Commit- 
tee,  , 423—426 


CONTENTS.  539 

Dv.  Schureman  chosen  Professor  of  Pastoral  Theo-         Page. 

logy — Character  of  Dr.  Schureman, 426 — 428 

Testimony  of  Respect  for  Dr.  L.  from  some  Gentle- 
men in  Albany, 429 

Trustees  of  Queen's  College  accede  to  the  Plan  of  the 
Theological   College — The  inadequacy   of    the 

Funds  prevents  its   accompUshntcnt, 429 — 430 

Dr.  L.'s  Dissertation  on  the  Marriage  of  a  Man  with 

his  Sister-in-Law...... 431 

The  Establishment  of  two   Schools  contemplated — 

Letters  to  I.  L.  Kip, 431—437 

Resolutions  of  Synod   upon  the  subject — Rfev.  E. 

Van  Bunschooten,, , 437 

Extracts  of  Letters  upon  the  subject, 438-— 441 

Question  relative  to  a  Removal  of  the  School  put  at 

rest — Extracts  of  Letters — Remarks, 44 1  — 444 

Rev.  Thos.  DeWitt  elected  to  succeed  Dr.  Schureman, 
Declines  the  appointment — Rev.  Mr.  Cannon  and 
Mr.  Mabon,  appointed  temporary  Instructers,...  444 

Dr.  L.  again  afflicted  in  the  Death  of  two  Ganddaugh- 

ters — Letters — Remarks, 445 — 449 

The   Board   of   Superintendents  express   their 
opinions  of  his  services — and  request  the  publication 

of  his  Lectures, 449 — 450 

Rev.  John  Ludlow  chosen  Professor  of  Biblical  Lite- 
rature, &c. — Succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  Dewitt,  460 
Dr.  L.  suggests  the  raising  of  an  ample  Fund  for  the 

support  of  the  School — Letter, 450 — 453 

The  measure  adopted  by  Synod,  and  successful — Re- 
marks   453—465 

Rutger's    College— Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Dr.  S-  S. 

Woodhull, 455—458 

Dr.  L,  connected  with  several  Benevolent  Societies, 
Letter  relative  to  the  Dutch  Missionary  Society — 
R'^v,  P.  N.  Strong,... ,,, ,   455 — 460 


540  CONTENTS. 

Dr.  L's  Letter  upon  the  subject  of  Colonising  Con-        Page, 
verted  Jews,.... 461 

Extracts  of  Letters,  and  a  Memorandum  indicative  of  a 

highly  devotional  frame  of  spirit, 4G 1 — 464 

Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Hoard  of  Superinten- 
dents,   464 

State  of  his  Health — Extracts  of  Letters — Letters  to 

his  Son, 465—471 

Unusual  Strength  and   Cheerfulness  manifested  the 

Day  before  his  Death, 471 

His  Death — Remarks, 471 — 473 

His   Funeral — Funeral   Sermons — Resolutions    of 

Synod, 473—476 

CHAPTER.  X. 

His  General  Character. 

Introductory  Remarks, 477 — 479 

His  Person  described, 479 — 480 

His  Infirmities,  and  a  General  View  of  his  Excellencies  480 — 488 
Some  prominent  traits  of  his  Character  particularly 

noticed — His   Discretion, 488 — 490 

His  Attachment  to  Evangelical  Truth,  and  manner  of 

preaching  and  teaching  the  Doctrines  of  the  G(»s- 

pel, •••..  490—496 

The  Tenderness  of  his  Deportment  towards  young 

Persons, 496—498 

The  unifot^mly  elevated  state  of  his  devotional  feelings 

— Anecdotes,  &c.  in  illustratirn, 498 — 503 

Rev.  Mr.  Forrest's  Letter  on  his  General  character,  504 

Rev.  Dr.  Green's       do.                   do.  505-506 

Rev.  Dr.  Janeway's  do.                   do.  606 — 511 

Rev.  Dr.  Miller's       do.                    do.  511—526 

Conclusion  of  the  Memoir,.. 528 


